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McMinnville board votes to resend Resolution 2072 and explore renovating 202 Bell Street for police station
Summary
After months of discussion about a new police facility, the board voted to resend Resolution 2072 to explore renovating an existing building at 202 Bell Street, citing lower contractor estimates for remodels and a budgeted $100,000 for planning.
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to resend Resolution 2072 in order to further explore renovating the existing 202 Bell Street building as an alternative to constructing a new police station.
A board member who cited conversations with local contractors said remodeling could cost between $60 and $150 per square foot — ‘‘significantly less than the estimates we were given from our architect’’ — and estimated potential savings of "anywhere from $3 to $4,000,000" compared with a new build. That board member moved to resend Resolution 2072 and to further explore renovation of 202 Bell Street; the motion was seconded and the board approved the motion.
Police leadership described long-standing facility challenges and urged the board to move the project forward in some form. The police chief (speaking without a full name in the transcript) described the department’s decades of temporary locations and the operational need for a facility meeting security, evidence and safety specifications. "I've been here 31 years...I like to see these people have a place of their own they can be proud of," the chief said.
Board and staff discussion clarified next steps: the item will return to the safety committee for review and recommendation, staff confirmed $100,000 is currently budgeted to develop bid-ready plans, and the board may authorize spending that amount to obtain firm cost estimates if the committee and full board recommend proceeding. The motion to resend Resolution 2072 passed by board vote; staff will bring findings and any revised recommendations back through the safety committee and then to the full board.
