It's Official - New Police Building on the Way

The ground was broken this week and construction of a new $4 million Shelby Township police station will begin immediately.

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees and Capt. Roland Woelkers lead the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at the location of the new building, which is anticipated to be completed by the first quarter of 2012.

The 18,000-square-foot building will be a stand-alone structure and will house police operations on the grounds of the on 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke.  The existing police building will be renovated and repurposed for department uses after the new building is complete.

“I’m glad that the Board took the action that it did to approve this,” Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Stathakis said.  “Four million dollars, no bonding, no borrowing or paying cash and it is definitely going to strengthen the infrastructure for public safety in Shelby Township. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are very happy that we got to this point, and it could not have been done without the leadership of our building committee lead by police Chief Robert Leman and the other members of the committee.”

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel was on hand to offer his comments and congratulations.

“I think you’ll recognize that your elected officials have noted here a commitment to something that is most essential to the public,” Hackel said. “There is no question about it.  When we talk about elected officials’ responsibilities, the most important thing we do is provide for the safety for public health and public safety.  I think this building is going to be a tribute to their commitment.” 

In addition to Stathakis, Board members present included Treasurer Paul Viar and Trustees Paula Filar, Michael Flynn, Lisa Manzella and Douglas Wozniak. Clerk Terri Kowal was absent, as was Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Leman, who was recovering from being hospitalized this week.

“Without question, in my years of service as a law enforcement officer, ten years as Sheriff, I’ve had a great working relationship with the men and women of the Shelby Township Police Department,” said Hackel.  “I couldn’t be happier for them and proud of them at this moment.  This building stands for more than just the structure.  It stands for the support and services that the men and women that will be inside this building provide to their citizens on a regular basis.”