$5.5M police station plans revealed (May 15, 2008)
Posted by Register Editor at 5/19/2008 9:42 AM and is filed under Council News,Budget and Taxes,Crime and Public Safety,Sanford,Renee Worthing 
By Renee Worthing
Register Reporter
Sanford Town Councilors got a glimpse of what the new proposed Sanford Police Department might look like when Sanford Police Chief Thomas Connolly and representatives from Port City Architecture presented a rendering of the proposed $5.5 million project during the May 6 town council meeting.
The proposed station is 11,700 square feet larger in size than double the space currently allotted to the department in the Sanford Town Hall annex and fourth floor.
According to Portland-based Port City Architecture, the estimated cost to construct the proposed station is about $4 million. “Soft costs” such as design, engineering, testing, fixtures, furnishing and equipment could cost an additional $918,000.
During the May 27 Town Meeting, voters will be asked to approve a $5 million bond for construction as well as $450,000 for the parcel of land located at the corner of Roberts and Main Streets. The property, owned by Donald and Jeannine Jacques, includes Ballenger Auto and is the site of the former Spinelli Theater, Tony’s Variety and Zippy Copy Center, businesses which are closed or have relocated.
The contract also requires the town to have a right of way to Roberts Street and Main Street.
Sanford Town Manager Mark Green said if Town Meeting approves the purchase of the land and the construction of the new police station, it would be important to time the construction to begin when the town pays off two debts, the landfill project on Rushton Street and the Modern Continental purchase.
He said the town has until May 31 to get approval and the deal with the Jacques must be closed by July 31.
The proposed station is in response to a 2006 study of the current facility, which was deemed too small to allow the department to function efficiently.
Connolly said when he came to the Sanford Police Department in July 2007, he was “disappointed and shocked” at the conditions of the department.
Among the deficiencies at the current location, Connolly cited a “very unsafe” 15-step cement stairwell used to bring those in custody into the station and said the processing area which abuts space used by officers to prepare reports is unsafe and unsecured.
Connolly said the current police department also has a shortage of storage spaces with evidence and property stored in five different locations throughout the department.
The new station will be an efficient, but relatively simple design, Connolly said.
“We’re not trying to build the Taj Mahal,” he said.
The one-story design concept features high ceilings which could be used for storage and a training room which could accommodate between 80 and 100 people, Connolly said. He said the room could also be used by the public for conventions, meetings and other gatherings.
The design also includes a “sally port,” a secured area where those in custody could be transferred securely from a cruiser to the processing area.
Connolly said while a two-story structure would use less land, it would present other problems such as the installation of an elevator and deciding which services would be located on each floor.
Sanford Town Councilor Anne Marie Mastraccio said she was concerned about heating expenses, but Connolly said the new police station would be “very energy efficient” with the use of lighting that dims when natural sunlight hits it and structural insulated panel (SIP) walls.
Port City Architect Principal Andrew Hyland said in the design and construction of the building, his firm would strive to secure a LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED is a third party certification program in which points are awarded for the use and implementation of technology that optimize energy efficiency. Connolly and representatives from Port City Architecture said such technology would be used in the new building.
“The officers deserve a new station that is modern, functional and safe,” Connolly said. “The public deserves to have a facility that accommodates their needs.”
To contact Renee Worthing, email news@intheregister.com or 282-4337 ext. 240
Register Reporter
Sanford Town Councilors got a glimpse of what the new proposed Sanford Police Department might look like when Sanford Police Chief Thomas Connolly and representatives from Port City Architecture presented a rendering of the proposed $5.5 million project during the May 6 town council meeting.
The proposed station is 11,700 square feet larger in size than double the space currently allotted to the department in the Sanford Town Hall annex and fourth floor.
According to Portland-based Port City Architecture, the estimated cost to construct the proposed station is about $4 million. “Soft costs” such as design, engineering, testing, fixtures, furnishing and equipment could cost an additional $918,000.
During the May 27 Town Meeting, voters will be asked to approve a $5 million bond for construction as well as $450,000 for the parcel of land located at the corner of Roberts and Main Streets. The property, owned by Donald and Jeannine Jacques, includes Ballenger Auto and is the site of the former Spinelli Theater, Tony’s Variety and Zippy Copy Center, businesses which are closed or have relocated.
The contract also requires the town to have a right of way to Roberts Street and Main Street.
Sanford Town Manager Mark Green said if Town Meeting approves the purchase of the land and the construction of the new police station, it would be important to time the construction to begin when the town pays off two debts, the landfill project on Rushton Street and the Modern Continental purchase.
He said the town has until May 31 to get approval and the deal with the Jacques must be closed by July 31.
The proposed station is in response to a 2006 study of the current facility, which was deemed too small to allow the department to function efficiently.
Connolly said when he came to the Sanford Police Department in July 2007, he was “disappointed and shocked” at the conditions of the department.
Among the deficiencies at the current location, Connolly cited a “very unsafe” 15-step cement stairwell used to bring those in custody into the station and said the processing area which abuts space used by officers to prepare reports is unsafe and unsecured.
Connolly said the current police department also has a shortage of storage spaces with evidence and property stored in five different locations throughout the department.
The new station will be an efficient, but relatively simple design, Connolly said.
“We’re not trying to build the Taj Mahal,” he said.
The one-story design concept features high ceilings which could be used for storage and a training room which could accommodate between 80 and 100 people, Connolly said. He said the room could also be used by the public for conventions, meetings and other gatherings.
The design also includes a “sally port,” a secured area where those in custody could be transferred securely from a cruiser to the processing area.
Connolly said while a two-story structure would use less land, it would present other problems such as the installation of an elevator and deciding which services would be located on each floor.
Sanford Town Councilor Anne Marie Mastraccio said she was concerned about heating expenses, but Connolly said the new police station would be “very energy efficient” with the use of lighting that dims when natural sunlight hits it and structural insulated panel (SIP) walls.
Port City Architect Principal Andrew Hyland said in the design and construction of the building, his firm would strive to secure a LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED is a third party certification program in which points are awarded for the use and implementation of technology that optimize energy efficiency. Connolly and representatives from Port City Architecture said such technology would be used in the new building.
“The officers deserve a new station that is modern, functional and safe,” Connolly said. “The public deserves to have a facility that accommodates their needs.”
To contact Renee Worthing, email news@intheregister.com or 282-4337 ext. 240
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