Property acquisition good step for police station

The City of Cape Girardeau has cited the need for a new police station for more than a decade.

The department has turned closets into offices, set up a trailer in a parking lot and found other countless workarounds for the lack of space in its building on Sprigg Street.

The financial and building logistics have been much more difficult to identify than the need.

But the city has finally found a solution, and it appears to be a very good one.

The council last week approved turning a building near Arena Park into the police station. The city has always owned the property at 2530 Louise Lane, but the building was owned by the Army Reserve. The city negotiated to assume ownership of the building at no cost to the city.

There is a lot we don't yet know about what comes next.

According to reporting last week by Southeast Missourian city government beat reporter Samantha Rinehart, plans for the new station will be developed over the coming months, as police and other city officials weigh options. And no decision has yet been made on what to do with the current police station on Sprigg Street.

But this is an encouraging move by the city. While some have argued that the department will be moving farther away from higher crime areas of the city, the location near Arena Park is centrally located. Clearly some access/egress issues will have to be worked out, but the location seems perfect for a police station to meet the needs of the city. The fact the city found land and a building without having to spend taxpayer dollars is a plus, though we expect the upgrade of the building and property will incur costs.

The city plans to pay for improvements through several pots of money. The police station is badly needed. We're encouraged that the city is finding economical and creative ways to finally find a solution to the problem.

The acquisition of the property and building at Arena Park is a positive step for the city and its police officers.