Story Created:
Jan 7, 2010 at 11:33 AM PST
Story Updated:
Jan 7, 2010 at 11:33 AM PST
WHITTIER — The city’s $35 million, two-story, 50,625-square-foot police station west of the City Hall at 13230 E. Penn St., is on track for completion this summer with occupancy by fall.
But while the purchase of interior furnishings and a storage system totaling $994,916 has been approved, exterior plans are still being made.
Assistant City Manager Nancy Mendez said a new police memorial is planned on the front lawn of the station near the entrance and a war memorial to the east will be expanded for more names.
However, the City Council remains uncertain if the Centennial Clock will be put back on the site or relocated elsewhere in the city. It is in storage until a decision is made, Mendez said.
In a written report to the City Council last month, she noted that the clock was donated to the city by a committee in 1987 to mark its 100th birthday.
The council made no decision on the clock location at its Dec. 8 meeting.
Last month the council did approve the purchase of furniture systems and seating for offices, shared work spaces, conference rooms, an emergency operations center, the lobby, interview rooms and jail control room from Associated Purchasing of Santa Monica for $556,725.
The council also approved the purchase of storage systems for police records, armory, forensics, jail and general storage from McMurray Stern, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs for $180,578.
In a written report to the council at that time, Police Chief David Singer said a project team visited numerous facilities in surrounding cities to determine the best furnishings at a reasonable cost.
“A police facility that operates 24 hours a day and where a majority of furniture systems are shared by different employees requires resilient furniture with a reputation for durability and a comprehensive warranty program to reduce future replacement and repair costs,” Singer said.
In November 2007, the City Council awarded the construction contract to Bernard Brothers, Inc., of San Fernando, the lowest of four bidders at $20.77 million.
The police station is located west of City Hall. A new parking lot, east of the library on Washington Avenue and south of City Hall, has been completed.
Mendez said the new public parking lot replaces the 74 spaces taken by the police building, and adds a few more spaces.
There will be a covered walkway between the new station and City Hall.
The basement will house locker rooms, the patrol briefing, exercise and report writing areas and a 32-bed jail with space for arrestees who are intoxicated or disoriented.
On the ground level will be a lobby, interviewing rooms, emergency operations, a community room, the watch commander’s office, the records office and 911 dispatch center.
Crime scene investigators, a crime lab and administrative offices will be on the upper floor, Mendez said.
A secured parking lot will accommodate up to 67 police and detective vehicles.
Originally built in 1955 when the city had 20 police officers, the current 20,000-square-foot building is no longer big enough for the department’s 93 officers and 79 civilian employees.
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