South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

New police station slated to be built in south county

Police station would be built on site county already owns

Construction of a new police station in south county is estimated to cost $1.7 million, but will be done without asking taxpayers for additional funds.

The County Council last week approved a $5 million bond issue that will help facilitate and support construction of the building, according to County Executive Charlie Dooley.

Police Chief Tim Fitch said roughly 85 officers work for the 4th Precinct, which has two substations on Telegraph Road — one in the 3300 block and the second in the 5000 block — and one on Lemay Ferry Road, across from Mehlville Senior High School.

“We pay a lease payment on those …,” Fitch said. “We’ll take all of that money for those three leases, and we’ll combine them into a one payment for 20 years at the new facility over here on Sappington Barracks (and Telegraph Road).”

Dave Wrone, spokesman for the St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic, told the Call the county Police Department’s 4th Precinct spends roughly $120,000 per year in rent for its three properties.

“That would be what we’re spending to service the debt on these bonds, so it’s basically a wash,” he said. “We’re not going to be taking on any additional expense and, in turn, we get a new facility.”

The new building would be on property already owned by St. Louis County, according to Fitch.

“This is going to be a savings in the long run for the citizens of St. Louis County,” he said. “It will be a good thing for officers.

“There’s plenty of parking so we can have community meetings there, neighborhood watch meetings and really bring the community into our police station.”

The location at 319 Sappington Barracks Road, which previously housed the Jefferson Barracks Boys and Girls Club, comprises roughly five acres, according to Wrone.

With a new building, Fitch said all of the equipment and officers will be in one location.

Director of Public Works Sheryl Hodges said the preliminary design stage is just starting and she expects to have officers in the 8,000-square-foot facility “by the end of next year.”

The design phase, according to Hodges, is expected to take until the end of 2012, with bidding out the project occurring toward the end of the year.

Construction is expected to start next spring and be completed by the end of 2013.

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