Latest Press Release
A NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS TO SERVE PORT WASHINGTON RESIDENTS
Overview
- Current headquarters: 500 Port Washington Blvd, Port Washington
- New headquarters: 128 Main Street, Port Washington (site of the Knowles Funeral Home)
- Built in 1958, with renovations in the 1980s
- Designed to accommodate a police force of 35
- Original design did not anticipate the technology infrastructure needs of modern policing
- Substandard conditions for officers, victims, and detainees
- Out of compliance with new standards and regulations for a police facility
- Not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations
- Limited public parking with no public facilities or useful space
- Not enough parking for officer vehicles, necessitating use of off-site parking location, creating logistical hurdles that waste time
- No available space for required trainings and exercises, causing additional expenses
1990s study determined a new facility was required
- New, modern design will match the character of the community while addressing the needs of the District
- Facility will be LEED certified, a global standard that recognizes buildings that are efficient, cost-effective, and better for occupants and the environment
- Space to incorporate current 80 member police force and staff with some room to grow if needed
- Provides officers and staff proper accommodations needed to maintain an active and effective police force.
- Corrects all current code violations at the existing facility with specific regards to detainee care and processing.
- ADA compliant with ample visitor parking and facilities
- Community space that will also double as a training and meeting room
- Parking and storage for all District vehicles and equipment
- Centrally located in the heart of Port Washington’s main street, improving response times and resident access
- Presence will improve safety along main street and the train station
- Makes use of a blighted, underutilized property without any impacts to traffic or the environment
- New community space will be open for resident groups to host meetings, trainings, and other small events
- Provide the community with a facility they are proud of that also allows the District to serve the residents in a better and more efficient manner
Costs for the New Facility
- District used capital reserve funds to purchase the property at a cost of $8.8 million. A portion of the capital reserve used for the purchase will be replaced once the current headquarters property is sold.
- The facility itself is expected to cost approximately $30 million, which the District will seek bond approval from the Town of North Hempstead.
FAQs
Why does the department need a new headquarters?
The current police headquarters, built in 1958, no longer suits the needs of a modern police force and hasn’t for some time. The original facility was designed to accommodate 35 officers and staff. As of January 1981, there were 39 sworn officers, and, by January 1984, we increased to 59 officers, added 3 dispatchers and completed a building addition. Our current police force comprises 63 sworn officers and 20 civilians. This reality requires the District to convert garage spaces into filing rooms and closets into offices while cramming additional staff and officers into existing spaces designed for half as many individuals.
The original building also did not anticipate the technology needs of a 21st-century police District, causing many electrical issues in our current space. The current property is undersized for the District’s vehicles and other equipment, forcing us to store these items at off-site locations, which wastes precious time.
While serving the community effectively for more than 70 years, the facility has reached the end of its useful life. A new headquarters will provide needed space, improve operations and other efficiencies, address code violations, and bring the District’s facility on par with current police facility standards.
What is going to happen with the existing headquarters?
Once the new headquarters is fully operational, the existing property will be put on the market for sale. The proceeds from the sale of the current property will be used to offset some of the costs associated with purchasing the property for the new headquarters.
What benefits will the community see with the new headquarters?
As a police District dedicated to the Port Washington community, we believe the new facility will help us improve our operations in order to better serve residents while providing them with community spaces and greater access to the District itself.
The physical location of the property, along the heart of Main Street in Port Washington, will provide a permanent presence downtown as well as near the train station. This facility has been designed to create dedicated multipurpose space for community groups to use and for the District to host smaller community events, training seminars and other related safety courses.
The new facility will also be ADA compliant, which the current building is not, and provide more residential parking to make engaging with the police District more seamless.
How will this project be funded?
The District will use its Capital Reserve Fund (a portion of the funds will be immediately replaced once the sale of the current property is finalized) to pay for the new property, which costs $8.8 million. The construction of the new facility itself is expected to cost approximately $30 million, which the District will seek a bond from the Town of North Hempstead.
Who is designing and constructing the building?
The District has retained the design and architecture services of H2M architects + engineers, a highly regarded multidisciplined firm located in Melville, NY that worked with municipalities across the region for more than 90 years. The contractors for construction have not yet been selected as the building design is still in progress. Once ready, the project specifics will be put out for public bid and the District will select the entity that provides the qualifications required at the best price.