Cottage Grove trustees pause police station bid after divided debate over size, cost and timing

Trustees of the Village of Cottage Grove paused a pending bid process for a proposed new police station on June 2 after an extended discussion about scope, cost and how the project fits with other public-safety facility needs.

The board reviewed schematic designs and a final construction estimate from Engberg Anderson and Myron Construction, and heard staff projections showing the project’s total base cost at about $19.76 million (including an $860,000 construction contingency) and a total project cost of roughly $20.2 million with soft costs. Finance Director Cameron said staff planned to use an estimated $800,000 of surplus from Tax Incremental District No. 5 (TID 5) closure to reduce borrowing, bringing proposed net borrowing to about $17.4 million financed in 2026.

Trustees said they support addressing the police department’s space needs but were split on whether to proceed immediately to bids for the current 28,000-square-foot design. Several trustees and members of the public urged a broader look at whether police, fire and EMS facilities could be better coordinated. Trustee Heidi said she favored pausing for time-limited study of combined or incremental alternatives, while other trustees said delaying could push costs higher or leave departments short of needed space.

Architect Mike of Engberg Anderson described the multi‑stage design process that produced a construction‑document estimate. The estimator from Myron Construction reported the latest estimate: the building and furniture portion about $17.6 million, with allowances and soft costs bringing the bottom line to roughly $20.2 million. Cameron presented the village’s five‑year financial plan and said projected development and the planned TID 5 closure were key to keeping the near‑term tax impact moderate. He said the model showed a gross tax impact for 2027 of about $79 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $320 on a $400,000 house) but that the TID 5 closure and other debt retirements would reduce the net impact to roughly $60 on the average home.

Trustees questioned the building’s long‑term capacity and flexibility. Trustee Chris and others suggested either a smaller, more incremental facility or further study to determine whether a combined police–fire–EMS campus could yield savings or operational advantages. Chief Gary and village staff noted operational differences among police, fire and EMS that affect siting and design: police operations are not house‑based the same way as fire/EMS and have different security and functional needs.

After roughly three hours of discussion, trustees agreed to pause moving the project to a formal bidding event and to return the item to the board in two weeks. Staff was directed to bring clarified options and to incorporate any additional alternatives trustees propose; if the board supports moving forward after that follow‑up, staff said bid documents could be released on an accelerated schedule.

The board did not take a final vote to award or commit to construction financing at the June 2 meeting. The village’s financial plan and staff presentations will be part of the materials trustees review before any final borrowing, bid award or contract approval.