Residents Can Review Plans For New Fair Haven Police/Community Room Building

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — Residents will have an opportunity this month to provide input on plans for a new Police Department/Community Center building.

Two open house sessions are planned, the first this Thursday, Feb. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the second on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the borough said in a notice.

Both sessions will be held in the Council Chambers at Borough Hall, 748 River Road.

In its first presentation of studies Jan. 9, experts reported the police department at 35 Fisk St. has mold and design issues to address.

There were other matters noted in the report, too, that require action, among others:

• Installing a female locker room
• Adhering to ADA Compliance Building Structure protocols
• Items that are outdated and not up to the Department of Justice guidelines include the HVAC, camera system, interview room, weapons and equipment storage, dispatch room and more concerns.

In the last month, there have been many detailed meetings on the architectural plans leading up to the open houses.

Councilman Drew LaBarbera, who is the liaison on the project, said in a recent meeting that including the residents' input early in the project is a big part of the planning. The video of that meeting goes into great detail of the plans at this stage.

The updated project now includes a new Community Center, an aspect previously referred to as "Police Storage" and then a "Multi-Purpose Room," LaBarbera explained.

There are a multitude of factors going into the planning, but some basic information includes:

• Square footage for the Police Department building is 6,140 square feet; 1,800 square feet for the community room.
• Architectural plans now call for a one-story Police Department, with exterior aesthetics designed to blend into a residential neighborhood in a compatible style.
• Landscaping will feature native plantings and will try to save as many trees as possible.
• Furnishing the building is integral for making best use of space.
• Overall, the new design will meet state requirements for police departments in various areas.

LaBarbera explained the cost of the project, too:

The estimated building cost for the one-story Police Department is estimated at $3.44 million, down from $4.85 million for the original 8,653-square-foot concept. This assumes a $560-per-square-foot cost, he said.

This building cost is not inclusive of other project costs, including site work and landscaping, he said.

"The goal is to ensure we maintain a fiscally responsible posture, while balancing the needs of Fair Haven and its residents," he said in an emailed statement.

The Department of Public Works building is also going to get renovations, but will not require a new structure. The borough said an open house on that project is expected on a future date.

Residents can access the links below to view the Power Point slides on both buildings that were presented Jan. 9:

• Police Department Facility Presentation
• Department of Public Works Facility Presentation