Council authorizes initial financing steps for new Noblesville police headquarters

The Noblesville City Council on May 12 approved two resolutions to begin financing steps for a planned new police headquarters, advancing appraisal and petition work and clearing the way to reimburse early project costs from future bond proceeds.

Deputy Mayor Matt Light told the council the proposed two‑story building would be 58,917 square feet—about 230% larger than the department’s current space—and that the project team had secured a guaranteed maximum price of $50,150,000, which includes a $3,500,000 construction contingency. "We have a guaranteed maximum price of 50,150,000," Light said.

Light described the resolutions as procedural steps: one authorizes the circulation of a taxpayer petition and property appraisals as part of lease‑rental financing and the other allows the city to reimburse pre‑bond design and project costs from bond proceeds. He outlined a schedule calling for a preliminary lease approval on May 26, bond authorization likely in July, bond closing in August and a groundbreaking in September or October. Construction was described as an 18–24 month effort that could lead to completion in 2028.

Assistant Chief Eric Cunningham answered council questions about operational needs and consolidation. "I'm very confident that this will hit our 20 year headcount," Cunningham said, explaining the design includes flexible office space and planned expansion areas. He added the project would consolidate most personnel and equipment on one site, while the city court will continue to operate from the current public safety building for the foreseeable future.

The council moved and approved resolutions RC‑15‑26 and RC‑16‑26 by hand vote, recorded as 7‑0. Light said a preliminary lease approval will be considered at the May 26 council meeting and that bond authorization and related approvals would follow later in the summer.