City takes first step in plan for new police building

     After months of discussions over how to best move forward in addressing City facility needs following the defeat of a June 2020 bond issue that would have resulted in a Community Campus at the former Sni-A-Bar Farms site, the City is requesting bids for architectural services for a police building near the current city hall and police building.
     Per the Request for Qualifications notice, the City of Grain Valley intends to contract for architectural services in connection with the feasibility, design and construction of a new police station and will accept sealed qualifications from qualified persons, contractors or firms until June 29th.
     In the proposed scope of work outlined in the request, the design team selected may be called upon to assist with a probable ballot issue in spring or summer 2022 required to fund the project.
     City Administrator Ken Murphy explained the proposed police station is a result of multiple discussions during Board workshops.
     “Through those workshops, the Board of Aldermen made a decision to move forward with planning for a new police station, located on the east end of the old football field, behind the Community Center and pavilion.,” Murphy said.
     “The intent moving forward is to place a police station centrally located in the City and not surrounded by residential development. These were concerns voters identified in the survey that was conducted after the election.  If a new police station is ultimately agreed upon and approved, the current City Hall would need to go through a renovation to make the current police station useable for City Hall functions.  The intent is to correct as many current issues as possible, but the level of renovation that happens will ultimately sit with the Board of Aldermen as they are still discussing the long-term plan for the remaining City facilities.”
     Mayor Chuck Johnston, whose opposition to the June 2020 Community Campus project was a hallmark of his own campaign, pointed to the cost savings of utilizing existing facilities and property.
     “In our survey of voters, the Board, staff and myself felt the consensus was that the majority wanted to use existing buildings and properties rather than moving to the proposed properties. As far as costs, there is a substantial savings in necessary infrastructure for any new buildings as well as savings in not scrapping the current facilities,” Johnston said.
     “We felt the police department was the most pressing issue. So that is were we decided to focus our attention. It also then gives us the ability after the police move out of the current building to make necessary repairs and improvements at a much lower cost than replacing City Hall. Once those two facilities are addressed we will be able to determine the best means for dealing with the Community Center. Figures at this point aren’t determined but they shouldn’t be anywhere near the project costs in the failed bond issue.”