Jonesboro task force weighs police, 911 center sites after Justice Complex damage

The Jonesboro Capital Improvement Bond Task Force discussed whether to site a new police department headquarters and an emergency 911 center at the Justice Complex on Washington or at a Carraway Road property after officials said structural damage forced the Justice Complex to close for inspection.

The issue arose after Councilman John Street asked the task force for a cost‑benefit comparison of the two sites and for estimates to demolish existing improvements and fix drainage at the Washington site. “I just want to see if anybody would look or had looked at a cost benefit analysis,” Street said, asking specifically about demolition costs, drainage fixes and room for future expansion.

That information became more urgent after a city staff member, Brian, told the task force the Justice Complex had been shut after damage was found during a routine inspection. “We’ve had a situation at the Justice Complex on Washington, and y’all know that it’s currently closed,” Brian said. He said immediate bracing was underway, that an insurance investigator had been asked to inspect whether the damage was weather related, and that estimates were being compiled to determine whether repairs were practical.

Why it matters: Bond funds previously authorized include money for an E‑911 center; engineering and…