Architecture, space for JPD discussed with public

Clark County

Related Photos

Mike Moore
An architect’s rendering shows a proposed new police headquarters the city of Jeffersonville wants to build along 10th Street near the city’s fire headquarters. Submitted image

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

April 24, 2012

Architecture, space for JPD discussed with public

City hopes to have new station open by 2013

By DAVID A. MANN david.mann@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Tue Apr 24, 2012, 02:42 AM EDT

JEFFERSONVILLE — Questions about infrastructure and architecture were key Monday night as Jeffersonville officials showed off plans for a new police headquarters.

City officials have been talking about the need for a new station for years but only this month revealed a plan was in place to move forward with construction.

“We’ve come up with a plan that we wanted to present to you tonight and get your suggestions,” said Mayor Mike Moore. “We’re in the design phase so if there are some suggestions anybody would like to make we’re certainly open to looking at everything you may want to consider.”

Drawings on display Monday depict a new $7.5 million headquarters, which the city hopes to have open by fall 2013. The building would be located at 2218 E. 10th St., adjacent to the Jeffersonville Fire Department headquarters and a street department facility.

WHY IS IT NEEDED?

During Monday’s forum, Moore and Police Chief Chris Grimm told the public that space was the key reason for a new headquarters. The department’s current base of operations, at Jeffersonville City Hall, is only 5,000 square feet. The city rents five other locations around Jeffersonville — at the Clark County Building, River Ridge Commerce Center and other spots — that house equipment, evidence and vehicles.

Grimm said there’s not room for detectives to conduct interviews; the department’s narcotics team is set up in the break room; and — for 88 employees — there are only two bathrooms in the current space.

The new building would be far more roomy, with 34,000 square feet, Grimm said. There would be room for community meeting space, evidence storage and interviews, he said.

“It’s not a huge, elaborate building. It’s a functional building we’ll make good use of,” he said.

WILL IT MATCH?

Residents Richard and Nancy Eklund asked about what the building would look like and specifically whether it would match the firehouse next door.

The conceptual drawings depict a building with a glass facade.

“It’s going to have a different look,” Moore said, however he chalked some of that discrepancy up to the buildings’ functions. A police building obviously wouldn’t have huge overhead doors in the front that a firehouse would, he said.

That said, Moore noted the brick would be made to match the firehouse.

Richard Eklund said functionality was important but wanted to see a different plan, something to make the city proud.

“I’d like to see something that makes a signature statement for Jeffersonville,” he said.

WHAT ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?

Mike Czape asked about the building’s environmental efficiency.

Grimm said the department did intend to light, heat and cool the building using environmentally friendly technology. Brent Williams, with The Estopinal Group — the architectural firm behind the design — also noted the building will use a lot of natural light to cut utility bills. Further, he said, environmentally friendly building materials — even carpet — would be selected when possible.

Moore said he didn’t want to break the bank to pay for green upgrades to the building but that such concerns would be considered. Further, he said, the city’s grant writer is researching available grants related to environmentally friendly construction.

HOW TO PAY FOR IT?

Moore said revenue from a local option income tax would be used to pay for the new station.

“Those dollars have to be spent for public safety,” he said. “We got a need we need to address and it will be done with that fund and nobody will see a tax increase because of this”

WHAT ABOUT CITY COURT?

Jeffersonville City Court will be staying at city hall but Moore said it would be moving to the space now used by the police. That will clear the main entrance of city hall by moving those waiting for court to the other side of the building. It’ll also free up the current court room for more meeting space for the Jeffersonville City Council. The court and council share the room now.