Erin Friedline, deputy director of the Riley County Police Department, urged the commission to pursue a larger substation in Aggieville to replace the department’s current about-600-square-foot facility. "Our current substation is just over 600 square feet. The new area has about 1,850 square feet," Friedline said, describing separate interview rooms, a unisex restroom with decontamination space and a separate transport exit to avoid moving detainees through a hotel lobby.

The proposal would move the substation to a storefront adjacent to a hotel development. TJ Vilkinskis of Midtown Land Company, the property owner and developer, said his team would complete the interior build‑out. "It's costing us about $300,000 to finish out the space," Vilkinskis said, and the company would offer a grace period so RCPD could move in between October and January without paying rent until Jan. 1.

Why it matters: Friedline and commissioners framed the lease as an operational improvement (more interview rooms, storage, and secure transport flow) that also raises budget and long‑term occupancy questions. Commissioners repeatedly requested clarity on lease length, renewal mechanics and cost escalation before final approval. Friedline said the county currently pays roughly $1,000 a month for the existing lease and that the new space was estimated at about $3,000 per month, though exact terms were still being negotiated.

Board concerns centered on tenure and cost: several commissioners said a five‑year initial term felt short for a facility they expect to use longer term; the draft lease includes two 5‑year renewal options and an annual rent escalator (discussed in the meeting at roughly 3–3.5 percent). Commissioners noted the county would likely need to amend the RCPD budget for 2026 to accommodate higher lease costs if the move occurred sooner than the next fiscal planning cycle.

What happens next: The commission signaled support to continue negotiations and directed staff and RCPD to work through parking, maintenance responsibilities and precise contract language before returning for a final decision. Vilkinskis said long‑term ownership of the hotel is structured inside a qualified opportunity zone fund, which he said reduces the likelihood of short-term ownership changes.

The county did not vote on a final lease at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to continue negotiating and to return with contract terms and budget implications for formal approval.