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Feasibility study favors new single‑story police and court facility; board authorizes bond step
Summary
Consultants presented a feasibility study finding the existing 1920s police/court building inadequate and recommended a new single‑story facility; the board advanced environmental review and approved a bond authorization (up to $28.5M, subject to permissive referendum) to fund land acquisition and construction.
Consultants from the engineering firm presented a detailed feasibility study to the Rotterdam Town Board on Aug. 14 that concluded the existing police and court building is unsafe and too small for current program needs, and recommended building a new single‑story facility as the most feasible option.
Tim Bons and Josh Conley outlined serious deficiencies in the current 1920s masonry building, including structural limitations, water infiltration and mold, antiquated mechanical and electrical systems, a lack of ADA access (the first floor sits 6–7 feet above grade), and unsafe booking arrangements that require moving detainees to a basement. “The building is 14,000 square feet,” Bons said, but program needs for an essential‑services facility are closer to 39,500 square feet.
The consultants presented three options: renovate and add at the existing town‑owned site (high logistical challenges and limited expansion), purchase and retrofit space at Viaport (single‑story option but not town‑owned and in an aquifer district), or build a new facility on a centrally located town site (preferred for expansion, parking and long‑term value). They estimated capital costs at roughly $31.5 million to stay on site, $27 million for the Viaport purchase scenario, and about $28.5 million to build new; a 30‑year lifecycle comparison favored a new build. Consultants estimated an average homeowner with a $200,000 home would face roughly $128 per year in additional taxes under the preferred option.
Board members then moved to advance environmental review. The board read and approved a resolution establishing lead agency status and adopting a SEQR negative declaration for the proposed town court and police facility project at 369 Dbg Road, clearing a procedural step in the state environmental review. The board also considered and passed a resolution authorizing, subject to permissive referendum, the issuance of up to $28,500,000 in bonds to finance land acquisition and construction for a new facility.
Public commenters at the meeting asked about funding details, the future of the existing building and the potential tax burden for water‑district households. One resident said the town collected no fine revenue after a prolonged enforcement case and asked why the town had not generated that revenue to offset costs; the board said funding details and potential disposal of the existing property remain to be determined.
Why it matters: The board’s action advances a major capital project that would reshape municipal infrastructure and carry long‑term fiscal implications for taxpayers. The feasibility study documents significant safety and programmatic shortcomings that, according to the consultants, make a new building the most practical option.
What’s next: The town will proceed with required environmental and permitting steps, complete outstanding due diligence tasks and develop financing details before final construction authorization. The bond resolution is subject to permissive referendum and related procedural requirements.
