Commission approves lease of 1210 Fleming Street for temporary police facility; owner to begin renovations

After extended discussion of options to house the Garden City Police Department during remodeling of the law enforcement center, the City Commission approved a lease agreement with the Dwayne Koster Trust and Kathy Koster Trust for 1210 Fleming Street and asked the property owners to begin renovations.

City staff told the commission they had pursued two parallel paths after a February directive: (1) select a construction manager at risk (CMAR) for a potential new-build temporary facility and (2) pursue a lease-and-remodel option for an existing building. Crossland Construction was selected for pre-construction services for a possible new construction option; the CMAR work would proceed with no initial cost to the city.

Staff presented details for 1210 Fleming Street: the building is about 24,000 square feet with on-site parking and four current tenants producing roughly $137,811 annually in rent. The lease presented initial terms of five years with an option to extend an additional five years. Base rent was listed as $18,500 per month ($222,000 annually), with a purchase option available to the city at a price not to exceed $4,820,000 if exercised by July 1, 2025. The property owner told the commission there would be a two-month rent waiver to accommodate construction and noted recent investment such as a new roof and lighting on the parcel.

Staff estimated renovation costs to make the building functional for police operations at roughly $3,360,000 to $3,600,000. Staff also explained these capital costs would likely be financed with short-term notes or temporary bonds; discussions were ongoing about whether future sales-tax proceeds (a county ballot measure under consideration) might reimburse relocation costs if the ballot measure passes.

Commissioners discussed the merits of the lease vs. building new and affirmed that the commission earlier directed staff to pursue both options to keep future choices open. A majority expressed preference to secure a temporary location quickly and to continue coordination with Finney County about shared future facilities; several commissioners said they preferred the lease alternative as a temporary solution with the option to purchase only if needed.

The motion to approve the lease agreement and ask the property owners to begin renovations carried on a recorded voice vote (the transcript states the motion passed 3–0). The city will begin work with the landlord and contractors to complete renovations; the lease includes an option to purchase but the commission did not approve purchase at this meeting.