In a press release from the City of Decatur, PSA Dewberry has completed its initial Decatur Police Department study and is recommending new construction in Wabash Crossing.
The Millikin/Regions building has been suggested in the past as a possible location, however the Millikin building’s owner has removed the building from consideration due to space constraints. New tenants have moved into a portion of the building since the site was first considered, therefore not enough space remains for the police station.
The study is suggesting two phases. The first phase would cost between $3.4 million and $3.9 million and would house the communications center, evidence storage, and crime scene unit.
The second phase is estimated to cost between $9.6 million – $11 million.
There would be costs savings, of about $300,000 if both phases were done at the same time. The total cost of the new facility would be between $11M-$14.9M. The cost of renovating the Millikin building is estimated at $12 million; however the long-term costs would be higher at the Millikin building because they city would have to pay leasing fees. The city would own the new facility.
The entire police study can be found on the city’s Web site at: http://decaturil.gov/council/councilagenda/Decatur%20Police%20Department%20Facility%20Study.pdf
The Decatur City Council will have a study session on the recommendations during Monday night’s meeting. (Dec 21st)
I also noticed in the council packet that St. John’s Lutheran Church in Decatur is planning to buy the old Bachrach’s office building on the northwest side of Decatur and move their church there. Holy Cow! That’s quite a building. I guess no property tax money for Decatur anymore for that property.
Wow!! I hadn’t read this yet! I love this idea! Can’t you imagine what that will do to improve this area? A real investment in Decatur’s core.
St Johns – oh no! That beautiful church is my part of my walking path – it is so pretty and they do that live nativity scene every year that sooo cool. I hate to lose it from my neighborhood. I just hate that churches are moving from the innercity that so badly needs their influence to the edge of town.
But still – I’m so glad regarding the Walbash police station!
Nothing says “safe secure neighborhood” like have the police department as a neighbor. With all the taxpayer dollars that has already been spent here – this is the way to really make good our investment.
I agree. I think the Wabash area would be a great place for the police station and I guess if it’s done in phases, it will be more affordable considering budget issues. It’s time to just get on with it.
I hate to see so many of the big churches move to the outer limits of town too. Personally, I think they can serve an even higher purpose by staying in the neighborhoods that need them the most.
St. Paul’s can have an awesome live nativity scene next year – there’s enough space there to bring in the Brookfield Zoo!
We’re 4.5 million in the whole, we’re getting ready to lay off cops, firemen, street workers, clerical staff, etc., but we need a new police station? Wabash crossing was a boondoggle, but in order to “make good on our investment/travesty”, we should build a new police station? A couple of the council members have openly talked about how the council visit to the police station was a scam. Boxes were moved into hallways, off-duty police were called in to look busy, etc. We’re broke people, with no new tax paying jobs/subdivisions/commercial development in sight,(apologies to the new Wendy’s owners). New police station, with less cops in it, to corral an unemployed populace with few prospects. Nice.
I would think our police, who do a noble, underappreciated, dangerous job, by the way, might be the first to object to the new house, less bodies idea.