After receiving an update last month from Steve Lodge of architectural firm French Associates, Shelby Township officials say they're on track to break ground on a new police station by the first quarter of 2011.
"I'm excited about it," said Supervisor Richard Stathakis. "And I think the officers are, too. We'll get into a new building and it'll be safer for our civilian employees - that was the utmost thing."
The $4 million project is expected to include renovations to the lower level of the municipal building - where the current police station is located - and a stand-alone building. The proposed 8,000-square-foot area in the municipal building is expected to be used for training and meeting space. An 18,000-square-foot stand-alone building is expected to house the police station next to the train at the township's municipal building at 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke.
"We believe it is best to build what we truly need now to remedy our spacing and safety concerns, and then continue saving for the future so that if there is a need for additional space years later, the funds will be available," Stathakis said.
The project comes nearly two years after the township scrapped controversial plans for a $23 million criminal justice center that would have included space for a new 41-A District Court.
Township officials also contemplated building just a courthouse, but Stathakis wanted a measure put before voters, asking about a new court.
The one-story facility is "going to be half the size for a quarter of the cost and paid in cash," Stathakis said. "We're definitely living within our means."
The building will include more lockup space separated from the department's other employees. Right now, prisoners are brought through the department's main hallway.
The records area will be larger - plastic bins are now used because filing cabinets are full - and the locker room will be bigger.
"We're building this station based on needs, not wants," Stathakis said.
The township board hired French Associates Inc., in May to design the new police station. Lodge, a senior associate with French Associates, reviewed the firm's plans with the Board of Trustees in November. He noted that the total estimated cost for the project is currently $4.1 million, which is approximately 2 percent higher than the township anticipated.
"However, we feel very comfortable that if a project is within 2 percent prior to going out for bid, that it's on budget because the estimates that are done are not detailed and it is not competitively bid," Lodge told the board.
Stathakis said construction of the new building will take place from January through October, 2011. An open house for the new building will be held in October, with renovation of the existing space taking place from October through December.