Lakewood officials begin fact-finding on plan to move administration to 1470 Warren and expand police space

Lakewood City Council on June 16 opened a fact-finding discussion on a proposal from city administration to relocate most administrative offices to 1470 Warren Road and convert the existing City Hall into a justice center housing expanded police and court facilities.

The proposal, presented by Director Byington and police leaders, is driven by long‑standing space shortages in the Lakewood Police Department, an inadequately sized women’s locker room and cramped detective workspaces, officials said. “The space provided to Lakewood police is woefully behind what is considered even basic in the industry,” Director Byington told the council.

Why it matters: Council members said they share the stated objectives — equity for female officers, ADA accessibility, improved customer service and safe workspaces — but repeatedly pressed the administration for detailed cost, financing and timing information before considering a property purchase. No legislation or purchase was on the table at the meeting; council did vote to enter an executive session to discuss purchase terms for property under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22.

What the presentation showed: The administration reported several high‑level options developed with consultant Webber Murphy Fox: - Renovate the existing City Hall and add an east…