Council reviews police station design; staff estimates $12M project and will explore financing options

City design consultants and staff presented an update on schematic and design development work for a police station addition connected to the existing fire hall.

The consultant reported design development is complete and the team is prepared to move into construction documents to preserve the bid schedule; staff said the project’s total cost estimate is now about $12,000,000 including roughly $1,000,000 for furniture and equipment. The consultant described program elements — a public lobby and interview room, evidence processing and secure storage, locker rooms, a squad garage and a two‑bay ambulance garage — and noted the project has been refined to improve circulation and security.

Staff told council the goal is to have bid documents ready in December 2024 and go to market in January 2025 to capture favorable contractor interest; construction could start in spring 2025 with completion anticipated in fall 2025 if the council proceeds.

Council members focused discussion on funding and tax impacts. Staff showed illustrative debt‑service calculations and an example estimate for a $350,000 home that would result in a modest annual increase in property taxes tied to the project debt service. Members asked staff to investigate alternatives to a straight general‑obligation bond, including EDA structures, creative revenue approaches, legislative bonding and other financing strategies, and to obtain updated interest and tax‑capacity forecasts. Several council members said they wanted two weeks for staff to gather financing options and revisit the matter before authorizing further spending or solicitation of bids.

The council did not authorize construction or bonding tonight; it directed staff to return with refined financing options and updated estimates.