Cape council voices concerns about new police station cost, location

Cape Girardeau city officials have many ideas regarding a possible new police station, but Monday came to one conclusion: There is still much to consider as planning moves forward.

The city council's discussion during its study session of recently presented options for a new or renovated station saw officials recognize that a needs study conducted by a hired architecture firm made a justifiable case for the current and future city police force's needs, but all the council members want to see more exploration.

City manager Scott Meyer said staff will be looking at alternatives for some station operations such as housing jail inmates, including the possible use of home incarceration for some with ankle bracelets and working with other agencies. Putting jail space into a new or renovated police station would make up a significant portion of construction costs. Appearances in court by video is also an option the city wants to look at as it moves forward.

Another concern of the council is the location of a new station -- the study only looked at building a completely new station at the same location as the current one -- 40 S. Sprigg St. -- renovating the current station and conversion of the old federal building at 339 Broadway into a police station.

Thoughts among the council of an alternative location for a new station come from an idea of related potential cost savings. The total costs associated with renovation or building new presented by the firm ranged from $12 million to $14 million, and included the price of moving staff and functions around so police could stay operational during the work. Another part of the question about a best possible location has to do with the functionality of the station and its proximity to areas of the city where police presence is most needed.

City officials have said they want to spend at most $11 million on an upgraded police or public safety facility.

Suggestions of council members included comprehensive evaluations of the city's entire public safety system, including the number of employees expected to be needed over time.

"Sooner rather than later, it is my preference that obviously this all needs to be looked at together," said Councilman Wayne Bowen. "If we build a building and can't add any additional people in the coming years, then I'm not sure we've taken that comprehensive picture."

Councilman Mark Lanzotti also said he wants to "explore the notion of what policing will look like in the future," when considering which operations a new station will need to house.

Councilman John Voss also said he hopes the city will look into having conversations with other communities that have recently built new stations about their past, present and future needs and will bring other governments' law enforcement agencies, including those in the city of Jackson and Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, into a discussion about housing jail inmates.

Councilman Trent Summers additionally brought up considering the future of the current city hall building while looking at infrastructure needs for public safety. The idea of a future public forum on police station options also was floated.

Talk of a funding mechanism for a new police station was left off the table Monday night, but Mayor Harry Rediger said he is comfortable with where the planning process is headed.

"This is really just the beginning, but I think this recap is where I want to be right now," he said.

The needs study found that the current station and jail contain much less space than police need, and that a growth in staff by 30 employees over the next 25 to 30 years would leave less than half of the space the department needs to operate. It also found the station does not have enough room for adequate evidence storage and processing, prisoner transfers, employee workspace and prisoners in the jail, while problems plague the building's electrical, heating and cooling and plumbing systems and security lacks throughout the building. The station opened in 1975.

Nuisance ordinance

The council also on Monday passed a new ordinance that will govern nuisance abatement in the city. The ordinance will require property owners to clean up graffiti and junk and take care of unlicensed vehicles within time frames set by the city after being notified or face fines and appearances in municipal court. The ordinance will become effective Dec. 13.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

40 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.