The Village’s Police Station Committee recently met to review the findings of FGM Architects, the architectural and design firm hired to do a Police Station Feasibility Study, to help finalize a report that will be discussed at the Village Board meeting of Tuesday, January 20.
FGM Architects are to re-validate the space needs and deficiencies outlined in a 2009 Space Needs Study that was done on the Police Station. The firm, which specializes in Police Station and Law Enforcement design, will develop a series of concept plans of how a new station could “best fit” within the existing municipal campus. If it is realized that building a new station at the municipal campus is not feasible, the location of a station will be reassessed.
For several years the Village has planned to address the needs of the 36-year-old, 38,000-square-foot Police Station. Because the facility has become too small, has deteriorating infrastructure and lack of functionality, it no longer adequately serves the needs of a modern law enforcement agency.
As part of developing concept plans for a new Station, FGM worked with the Village Board in creating a list of goals that will help drive the plans the plans.
Click here for background information on the Police Station Project
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Goals of the Police Station Project
• The primary goal of this part of the process is to determine whether a new Police Station meeting modern day standards can feasibly be developed upon the existing municipal campus.
• Develop a cost-effective solution that maximizes the budget and is not “overdone.” The budget should be less than what was proposed in 2010 which is believed to be too high.
• Understand this is a utilitarian building and this being used 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and needs to stand up to the wear and tear necessary for a police station.
• Ensure duplicity is utilized. Spaces can be shared with the Village Hall if it can be done effectively, i.e. if the building is connected to the Village Hall. Share functional spaced for various functions to the greatest extent possible.
• Develop a solution that is secure. Safety of the officers is paramount. This issue supersedes cost.
• Complement the architecture already on the campus in a cost effective way, while remembering that it is a Police Station. The building needs to be presentable from all sides and the front needs to be complementary to the existing Village Hall and Fire Station.
• Make sure the police department has a highly functional building where they can do their job efficiently.
• Design the police station to be flexible for future changes.
• Provide adequate workout facilities dedicated to the Police Department.
• Provide a firing range within the police station that is safe, functional and meets the needs of the Department.
• Evaluate the site for maximum benefit and efficiency. The solution should utilize the entire site. Nothing is to be taken as sacred.
• Covered parking should be provided for marked patrol vehicles.
• Maximize the size of the parking garage.
• Explore sustainable and environmentally friendly components at no extra cost and/or explore grant funding sources.
Other police-related items on the Agenda for Monday’s meeting are the recommendation to approved onboard video cameras and to replace mobile data terminals with Panasonic Toughbook computers. Currently four video systems (Mark III in-car camera system) and four Panasonic Toughbooks are being considered. A police SUV replacement is also expected be approved.
The next Village Board Meeting is Tuesday, January 20, 2015 from 08:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
The Village Board Meeting is held in the Board Room of Village Hall. Village Board Agendas are posted late Friday afternoon prior to a Board meeting. To view Village Board Agendas, click on the Agendas and E-Packets icon on the top right of the Home Page.
Click here to view Agendas and E-Packets.
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