There Really Goes The Neighborhood . . .

Things homeowners don’t like to hear include that the nondescript box-like building down at the end of the block is actually a federal prison:

Some Springfield Gardens residents who were surprised to learn that the nondescript building at 150th Ave. and 182nd St. is a federal prison are now worried that there are plans to expand it.

. . .

Located at 182-22 150th Ave., it is fitted with outdoor security cameras, can house 200 prisoners and — although located in an industrial area near Kennedy Airport — is just blocks away from a residential neighborhood.

“I didn’t know about that jail,” said Thelma Grey, who has lived on 147th Ave. — not far from the prison — for the past 11 years. “A prison . . . that sounds strange to me.”

The building was formerly the Wackenhut Immigration Detention Center, which housed illegal immigrants awaiting deportation. It now confines federal prisoners awaiting trial and is controlled by the Geo Group Inc., a privately run correctional and detention management company.

“We bought the adjacent building to the facility and we plan to have company representatives at the meeting on Wednesday to address any community concerns [about] any potential expansions,” said Pablo Paez, director of corporate relations for the Geo Group.

Paez said the Geo Group has managed the facility since 1995 and that its management agreement changed from an immigration contract to a U.S. Marshals Service contract in June 2004.

It’s so 24, a new season of which, by the way, starts Sunday.