Plans in the works for new Rocky River Police Station

By Sue Botos

After years of cramped quarters and inadequate jail space, the city is making plans for a new police station, which will more than quadruple the size of the present facility.

At a recent City Council meeting, Ken Emling from Richard Bowen and Associate architects presented plans for a two story station with a basement and attachment to the City Hall complex, which will basically use the current station’s footprint. The 47,000 square foot station would replace the 10,000 square feet now available. Cost is estimated at $12.7 million and ground breaking is planned for 2018.

“This is not extravagant. There is not a lot of fluff or a lot of bells and whistles that the city does not need,” Emling told council.

He recalled that since being chosen last year to compile an engineering and feasibility study for a new station, Bowen and Associates has surveyed police officers and employees as well as visited several newer stations, including Bay Village, Avon Lake and Strongsville.

In addition, drawings from the original 1950s era Rocky River station plus a 1970s addition were studied.

“To be perfectly honest, the building was way too small for what they do on a day to day basis,” said Emling, adding that security is also an issue. (As of October 1, doors to City Hall will be kept locked and visitors will be buzzed in.)

Prisoner conveyance is an additional security concern, said Emling, referring to the fact that prisoners who need to be transported to the adjacent Municipal Court Building must go outside.

After describing several variations of plans, including a single floor version, Emling said the best concept calls for a driveway and visitor parking off of Hilliard Boulevard. “We’re going to try to bring the main entrance to City Hall back to life,” said Emling, noting that the front door of the complex is rarely used by visitors, who enter from the parking lot in the back.

Emling added that the first floor will house public areas and space for officers while the second floor will be for the chief’s office, detectives and a conference room. A shooting range will occupy the basement area, and a new, up to code 10 bed jail will be included.

The exterior, according to Emling, will blend with the Municipal Court building, built in the 1990s, and the 1950s era City Hall. “This won’t be glitzy. We don’t want to take away from City Hall,” said Emling, adding that the mass of the building will be minimized by varying floor sizes, with the top level being the smallest.

Operation of the police department will be impacted as little as possible. Emling said that during Phase One, construction of the two story section and garage, everything will stay where it is. Then, the move will be made to the new section while the old station is razed and other parts are completed.

“We still don’t have it all hammered out,” said Mayor Pam Bobst, adding that the issue won’t go to the ballot as has been done in other cities. She said revenue from a .5 percent income tax increase, approved by voters last year, as well as bonds will finance the work.