December 21, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City To Budget For Police Facility Designs,
ID Financing Options
DECATUR – The Decatur City Council directed the city manager and staff to work towards budgeting funds for new police facility designs and to identify potential revenue sources to pay for such a facility following a Monday presentation by the firm hired to study the issue of police space.
In late September PSA Dewberry began working to determine the actual cost of renovating the Millikin/Regions Building for police operations and for using City Parking Garage C for evidence space. PSA was also asked to determine the cost and feasibility of building new police facilities at Wabash Crossing.
The Millikin building was eventually removed from consideration due to space constraints and PSA has recommended building at Wabash Crossing. Monday’s discussion took place during a study session and no final decision made regarding facility sighting as questions remained about whether a single courts/public safety campus might be more efficient.
Preliminary estimates indicate that design work could cost about $750,000.
The PSA recommendation calls for the master planning of a new 60,000 square foot facility but indicates that construction could be implemented in phases as budget constraints would necessitate. According to the study the city could also have communications remain at its current location based on budget demands and outlines the phases as follows:
- Phase 1 (by itself) – Would include the communications center, evidence storage, the crime scene unit and all estimated contingencies and fees. Total Phase 1 Cost: $3.4 million - $3.9 million, depending upon contingencies and other fees.
- Phase 2 – Would add the remaining police space to the phase 1 construction and all applicable contingencies and fees. Total Phase 2 Cost: $9.6 million to $11 million, depending upon contingencies and other fees.
- Combined construction cost of Phases I & II if done separately - $13M to $14.9M.
- Combined construction cost if phases 1 and 2 are done in one building at the same time with communications - $12.7M to $14.6M (City saves about $300,000).
- Combined construction cost if phases 1 and 2 are done in one building at the same time without communications - $11.9M to $14.0M.
The Mayor indicated that he, the council and staff would actively pursue all local, state and national sources of funding to pay for design work and construction. For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.