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Current police headquarters has its problems, but so do available alternatives

By Howard B. Owens

The list of problems with the current Batavia PD headquarters is long, but the price of doing anything about it is huge.

In the best case scenario, the city will need to spend $10 million on a solution.

Unless, of course, the option selected involves putting head in sand and hoping for the best. That option costs next to nothing, unless of course, the city is sued over some of the potential problems with the existing facility, or disaster strikes.

That's the summary of what members of the City Council heard Monday night from a group of consultants hired to create a police facilities feasibility study.

The consultants were Dominic Calgi, Calgi Construction; John Pepper, Rebanks, Pepper, Littlewood Architects; and, John Brice, Geddis Architects.

Their job -- work with city administration on evaluating three possible scenarios:

  • Construct a new police headquarters from the ground up;
  • Create a new police headquarters using an existing building;
  • Renovate the existing headquarters at 10 W. Main St.

Monday, they presented scenarios for three new-build locations, a scenario for constructing a building with some shared space with the Sheriff's Office on Park Road, and two options for renovating 10 W. Main.

The most expensive option was an extensive rehabilitation and renovation of 10 W. Main, which could cost as much as $17 million. For $10 million, it might be possible to build a new headquarters on Park Road, but there are also a lot of unknown variables that could drive the cost up.

The first step in this process, if it moves forward, is for the City Council to appoint a community task force to study the options presented by the consultants and make a recommendation.

City Manager Jason Molino recommended a task force competely devoid of elected officials, city staff members or members of the law enforcement community. Instead, he recommended citizens from each ward, the school district and UMMC. (Clarification: also, business owners.)

His goal, he said, was to keep it non-political and help assure the public that nobody in the city was pushing a specific agenda.

Council members balked at the recommendation and instead appointed a subcommittee to study the proposed make up of the task force and come back to the full council with a recommendation.  

The council will discuss the proposal again Oct. 14 and if it decides to move forward with a task force, appoint it at its November business meeting.

That would give the city a month to advertise for participants and recommend a slate of task force members.

What are the problems with the existing headquarters, which is occupying space built in 1855 as a rich family's residence and was later used as City Hall?

  • The building entrance is not secure, neither for police nor the public, nor arrestees;
  • Interview rooms and holding cells are not isolated nor secure;
  • Storage of weapons and gear is insufficient;
  • Building egress is inadequate and not code complaint, and egress for patrol cars is insufficient;
  • There is no separate entrance for youthful offenders, which violates state code;
  • Building is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which means even basic improvements such as upgrading the HVAC system can't take place (unless the city wants to ignore the ADA).
  • Building infrastructure is outdated and in need of replacement (HVAC, water, plumbing, electricity);
  • Hazardous materials exist;
  • Installation of modern technology requires major renovation (again, triggering ADA compliance issues).

A renovation of the facility would be expensive, not just because of the remodeling expense, but it would also need to be expanded.

The option that would give the department the most space (top photo), with a garage and sally port for prisoner transport at ground level, would cost from $15 million to $17 million.

A less robust option, with a raised garage and sally port, would cost from $11 million to $12 million. For that price, the city could build at one of four other identified locations.

"When renovating an existing structure, it's never going to be good at meeting program requirements as new construction," Brice said. 

During the reconstruction project, the headquarters would need to find a temporary home. One location suggested is the former Robert Morris School.

56 Ellicott St.

This location is the former Santy Tire's location with existing businesses still using a portion of the building. Essentially, it's at the corner of Ellicott and Jackson, but the parcel would be expanded to stretch as far back as Evans Street.

Pros for the site include easy access to Downtown and it would be all new construction. The cons include potential environment issues. It's in a flood zone, so the building pad and parking lots would need to be elevated two feet, and it would compete with economic development plans for Ellicott Street.

The potential cost: $11.1 million to $11.9 million.

96-98 Jackson St.
The current Salvation Army location.

Pros, again, easy access to Downtown. Cons include the purchase price and existing structure torn down, and it's still in a flood zone.

The potential cost: $11.6 million to $12.5 million

165 Evans St., Batavia
The property is next to Falleti Ice Arena.

Pros include the fact the city already owns much of the property.

The cons include, again, the flood area issue, and it's somewhat of a constricted lot for access. Chief Shawn Heubusch pointed out that it would increase emergency vehicle traffic in front of the ice area and it's somewhat removed from Downtown.

The potential cost: $11.4 million to $12.3 million.

Park Road

City Manager Jason Molino said this option, as part of the study, was looked at very seriously, but the idea isn't without problems.

There is less overlap between police functions with the Sheriff's Office than one might assume. For one thing, since the police patrol the city, Heubusch said, they do their reports and interview subjects at the station; whereas, deputies typically do all of their interviews and paperwork in the field.  

The Sheriff's Office doesn't have enough space to share locker rooms, and separate locker rooms would make a shared briefing room less practical. The departments can't share storage because of the need to protect chain-of-custody on criminal evidence.

"It's possible with a lot more thought and investigation between the two units, you could increase the amount of shared space, but it's not built that way now," Brice said. "You might save some space by finding ways to share space, but you wind up renovating more."

The potential cost: $9.9 million to $10.6 million, but maybe more after further study.

For the full study, click here.

John Gerace

Here's an idea...Instead of spending millions of the tax payers dollars let's find a way to consolidate services. Instead of bigger and bigger government let's do the right thing for the benefit of the citizens of the City of Batavia. Look at the choice that no one wants to tackle "CONSOLIDATION" NOT MORE SPENDING!!!!!

Sep 23, 2014, 11:39am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Consolidate Services? We already have too many times that both Police and Sherriff dept is stretched thin. People already complain about response times and officers lack of attention or poor handling of quality of life issues.

Do you think that consolidating is gonna make these issues better or worse? It doesn't take a great thinker to figure that out. Theres a good reasn Mr. Gerace that people dont want to consider consolidation, because it's not really a solution or an effective way to benefit the citizens of the City of Batavia.

Sep 23, 2014, 11:55am Permalink
John Gerace

Head in sand. Mr. Couchman. We went through the same thing when the City got out of the ambulance business. AND guess what the service got better. I am not proposing a smaller police force, I am suggesting at looking at ways that are financially sound. A county wide police force is the answer as well as the fire department...

Sep 23, 2014, 12:11pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Ambulance service is not the same as a police force Mr. Gerace. Countywide Police and fire depts dont answer any needs whatsoever, they just change one set of issues for another...

Sep 23, 2014, 12:53pm Permalink
Jessica Semar

I'm shocked that with the amount of crime on Jackson, more people don't see that it would be beneficial to put the new police station there.

Sep 23, 2014, 1:02pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

Consolidation does not have to equate to stretching thin or duplication or redundancy. If the Sheriff's Department has better facilities for handling incarceration and processing of suspects, let them handle that aspect of enforcement. Let the City Police handle investigation, patrols and transportation of those arrested to the county facility. (An example). Match the facility to the operation. Study logistics and compatibilities and match the need to the most advantageous and economical site/staffing toward resolution. After shrinking the list of needs by matching them to the best facility, then figure where deficiencies remain and address a smaller (less costly) list of needs. When all is said and done, address any issues of jurisdiction, reimbursements or offsetting duties to satisfy budgets.

Sep 23, 2014, 1:49pm Permalink
david spaulding

"It doesn't take a great thinker to figure that out."
so kyle if I don't agree with you then i'm stupid, is that what you're saying?
I like peter's idea of doing away with the Batavia police force all together....

Sep 23, 2014, 5:28pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

I stand by what I said David, you will interpret it any way you want. The only comment for consolidation that made sense and gave me a little pause in my stance here was CM's because it was sensible, however I think there is so much there in his idea that it might be to complex for the city to do without hiring several assistant managers and doing feasibilty studies that it will end up costing the taxpayers the same.

I looked at the reasons for the ambulance consolidation and privatization and the whole reason was that the city was paying the tab for the ambulance service and the rest of the towns in the county (ie the County Legislature) wouldn't contribute. I see the same problem happening here and eventually starting from scratch...

Sep 23, 2014, 5:38pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Return law enforcement back the the Sheriff. That is the only Constitutional system we have. The police are paid for by the people to serve and protect, the Sheriff is the only LE that is chosen [elected] by the people and should be sovereign. The government police [city, state, federal] are the equivalent of a standing army and are technically unConstitutional.

Sep 23, 2014, 10:48pm Permalink
Lorie Cook

Where do some of you live? Not too long ago a kid was sucker punched near state street...he was punched hard enough to bleed in the road. This happened about 9:30. So if you think it ain't that bad I would walk with a dog and baseball bat.

In fact, take a walk in some of these neighborhoods in the middle of the day. Stoned, drunk people everywhere. Toddlers wandering around dirty. It is awesome.

Sep 23, 2014, 11:09pm Permalink
Kyle Slocum

A local agency always has the best knowledge of and success at improving the quality of life for a community. If you doubt that, may I ask you whether you would rather deal with your town assessor or the IRS?

The problem of building a new facility for BPD, or any government agency, is that it will cost significantly more to do because of the asinine laws that go by happy names like "Prevailing Wage" (which mean the wages paid to workers have to match wages paid to members of the democrat party funding agencies in far away cities. I believe they call themselves "unions") and "The Americans with Disabilities Act" (Which means that you have to either not improve your facilities in any way or go broke ensuring that a technician in a wheelchair can access the gutters on your roof for maintenance).

The reality is that if a new facility is going to be built, it will be way more expensive than it has to be and it should be placed in an area that has little short term likelihood of private sector development. Scratch Park Road. Think East Side: East Main or Ellicott St.

And quit picking on the mall until you try finding a parking place there during the day. There may not be a lot going on there, but parking is at a premium during the day. I suppose you could take the bus or the subway down there...

Sep 23, 2014, 11:43pm Permalink
RICHARD L. HALE

I know it would be in the same flood zone.....but how about taking the south end of Austin Park? If I remember correctly, there is a baseball field there, and from what I can see these days, kids don't play baseball anymore.

Sep 23, 2014, 11:48pm Permalink
Brenda Ranney

Renovated our existing police precinct 11 - 17 million dollars ... smh dose not include replacing the Mansion's front porch to the original blue prints specs, tisk tisk.

I'd much rather put a few million toward expanding our teen center programs, hiring more staff, funding for Summer teen employment. Any alternative that proves effective to steer youth in the right direction.
I'd also spend 5 million on grants for light industrial manufacturing and while we're at it a few million on local job training to produce workers to fill those new local jobs.
Then spend another couple million on programs to promote home ownership in our city so more people will be vested in the future of Batavia.
And since our pockets are soo deep, lets just take the remaining $$$ and hire more police officers outfitting them with in essence a rather high tech office on wheels.

Because in the end while an in house gun range is pretty damn convenient so is not having Batavians cars burglarized nightly.

Seriously, install a wheel chair ramp, change out the doors to the interview rooms and entrance and if juvenile offenders are having to mingle with general population loosers then hey as Barretta's parrot use to sing, don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Sep 24, 2014, 12:28am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Then where's the cost savings?

Consolidation = BIG GOVERNMENT. It leads to higher costs and diminished service and less responsive government.

Sep 24, 2014, 8:24am Permalink
Raymond Richardson

My two cents worth:

A county wide police department is not the answer to the problem here. Off the top of my head I know of two NYS counties with a county police force; Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island.

The costs of those two police departments is funded 100% through property taxes in both of those counties, at a tax rate that is enormous.

Course too, the starting salary for an officer in those two departments is $30k higher than a state trooper cadet earns while at the academy.

Instead of thinking of a county wide police force, or consolidating services(which is not an financial solution, as mentioned it would only trade one set of issues for others), why not just consolidate the police department into a building already funded by tax payers, to be shared with the police department?

It may wind up saving tax dollars in the long run.

Sep 24, 2014, 8:32am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

"why not just consolidate the police department into a building already funded by tax payers, to be shared with the police department?"

What building? And how would that solve space and layout issues?

Sep 24, 2014, 10:51am Permalink
Peter O'Brien

Cost savings of a new or renovated police station would be a start. Then selling the building would bring in more cash. Paying the Sheriffs for service has be cheaper than running a whole department and its not like they don't have a station on the edge of the city.

I believe in self reliance for protection, which is why I own a gun. The police are a backup to what I already do for myself.

Raymond, the sheriffs already exist as a county wide police force.

Sep 24, 2014, 12:22pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Peter:

You seem to be suggesting consolidation without a force reduction. That would mean spending $10 or $11 million to expand the Sheriff's Office to accommodate the additional force and resources.

Even if you cut the current number of police personnel in half, there would still be a substantial if not the same expense to expand the Sheriff's Office.

No cost savings there.

Any reduction in force would reduce public safety. Losing a dedicated set of officers with no other duty than patrol the city would reduce public safety.

I can think of no scenario in which police service are maintain that doesn't keep costs the same or increase them through any sort of consolidation.

Sep 24, 2014, 12:43pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

The people in the city of Batavia pay a county tax...That county tax includes the cost of a sheriffs dept..But yet we get nothing for that cost..In fact the sheriff's dept is located in the city limits thus making that property another non taxable piece of property..The county should either rebate that part of the tax bill back to the city..Or assign a lower tax rate to those of us who live in the city that don't use the sheriff's dept to patrol the city streets.I believe that what the city has works and that spending 12 million is not something that needs to be spent....

Sep 24, 2014, 8:07pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Sheriff's department provides back up to city PD.

The local drug task force is a mutual aid service and the majority of their busts come in the city.

Deputies regularly make arrests in the city.

Deputies make traffic stops in the city.

The jail, paid for out of the Sheriff's budget, houses both county and city inmates.

The Sheriff provides security for City Court.

Clearly, we're getting more than "nothing."

Sep 24, 2014, 9:02pm Permalink
Scott Ogle

"Or assign a lower tax rate to those of us who live in the city that don't use the sheriff's dept to patrol the city streets."

Yeah. Of course! Me! Me!

Umm, how would that work?

Sep 24, 2014, 9:22pm Permalink
John Roach

Mark, that property the Sheriff's office is on was tax exempt before they bought it, And if you remember, there were deed issues since the land once belonged to the Federal Government. There was no loss of property taxes.

Sep 24, 2014, 9:32pm Permalink
Eugene Jankowski Jr

Another thought. What do you think of the City expanding into the town on the west end and providing services with additional tax revenue. Or maybe expanding police services to the town. Why are we always talking about giving up police when we may be in a better position to expand. The activity in the town is growing every year and they may benefit from the service. They City hasn't grown in decades. Maybe its time. Just trying to think of all the options. Ultimately it's up to the people of Batavia to decide.

Sep 28, 2014, 11:33am Permalink

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