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Committee directs architect plans for potential new police station, to solicit bids
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Summary
After lengthy discussion about renovating Bell Street versus building new, the committee voted to recommend the full board authorize architect-prepared plans for a new police station so bids can be solicited; the recommendation does not commit the city to construction.
The Safety Committee voted to recommend that the full board authorize architect-prepared plans for a potential new police station so the city can obtain competitive bids.
Speaker 1 opened discussion noting the project is back to a site-and-scope decision. Multiple speakers reviewed pros and cons of renovating the Bell Street building versus constructing a new facility. Speaker 6 told the committee the water enterprise currently owns the Bell Street building and the general fund would need to pay roughly $700,000 to acquire the portion proposed for the police station; the building appraisal was described in the meeting as about $1,800,000.
Speaker 2 emphasized operational needs: the department’s evidence storage is overcrowded and the facility requires space and security upgrades. “We’ve got over 27,000 pieces of evidence in that room,” Speaker 2 said, arguing that a purpose-built facility better accommodates evidence, secure storage and training space than a retrofit.
Committee members also discussed size and cost estimates. A new-build concept discussed in the meeting used an approximate footprint of 18,000 square feet (about 9,000 square feet per floor). Speaker 7 and others said estimates from architect Peter Metz suggested similar pricing for new build versus renovation once all requirements are considered; members noted the committee has paid Metz about $9,000 so far. Concerns were raised about renovation limitations, parking and growth constraints at some candidate sites.
Speaker 11 moved that the committee recommend the full board obtain full plans for a new building so bids can be solicited; Speaker 4 seconded. The committee carried the motion by voice vote. Several members emphasized that approving plans for bidding does not obligate the city to build; it is intended to produce accurate bid pricing so the board can make an informed decision.
The next step is for architect-prepared, bid-ready plans to be produced and circulated to bidders. The committee did not record a roll-call vote or provide a final cost estimate at the meeting.
