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Falmouth design team unveils revised police station site plan; preliminary cost estimate $65M
Summary
Select Board received a schematic design update for a proposed 47,713 sq ft police station at 100 Brick Kil Road, including site refinements after abutter feedback and an early construction estimate of $65 million; estimated temporary tax impact for a median home is $135–$225/year, depending on financing assumptions.
The Falmouth Police Station Advisory Committee and project consultants presented revised schematic designs, community feedback changes and preliminary financial scenarios for a new police facility at 100 Brick Kil Road during the April 13 Select Board meeting.
Committee members said geotechnical and environmental assessments have been completed and community forums informed revisions such as moving the staff driveway to reduce direct headlight impacts on a nearby house and relocating the impound lot to the rear of the property to reduce noise for neighbors. The updated site plan also aims to preserve mature trees where feasible and minimize disturbance of ecologically sensitive buffers.
Vertex and Tecton Architects described a two‑story, slab‑on‑grade building of about 47,713 square feet that includes a secured sallyport and booking area, evidence suite, locker rooms, a fitness area, armory and SRT bay, second‑floor administrative offices, and a combined dispatch/communications suite. An outbuilding is planned for equipment storage and a possible modular indoor firing range; the team said conduit and a pad could be installed to allow adding a range later if funded.
Preliminary cost work is under way with independent estimators. Project leaders presented an early construction estimate of $65 million (in addition to $5 million previously borrowed for design), with estimated annual debt service of $4 million to $6.5 million depending on term and interest rates. Using assumptions of 20–30 year borrowing and 4–5% interest, staff presented a potential tax-rate impact of roughly $0.17–$0.30 per $1,000 of assessed value — about $135–$225 per year for a median home value of $792,000 — and noted these are schematic-stage estimates that will be refined as cost reconciliation proceeds.
Board members emphasized continuing outreach to abutters, the need to preserve screening and minimize tree loss along Brick Kil Road, and the importance of refining traffic access and egress to limit effects on busy nearby intersections. The committee plans additional community forums and more detailed cost estimates in the coming weeks.
What’s next: Cost reconciliations are due soon at schematic-to-design‑development transition; the project team expects more detailed estimates within about a week and will return to the board with refined numbers and community feedback.
