NEWS FROM THE CITY OF WESTERVILLE • JULY/AUGUST 2019
CityReporter www.westerville.org
New Police/Court Facility Would Consolidate Operations, Improve Safety After nearly a decade of evaluating the space the Westerville Division of Police (WPD) and Mayor's Court needs, Westerville City Council is considering plans to consolidate multiple police facilities and Mayor's Court to a single location along Huber Village Boulevard. In 2018, the City purchased the building and land at 229 Huber Village Blvd. with this purpose in mind. After renovation and expansion, the new combined Police/Court facility would house all WPD bureaus including Mayor’s Court, Investigations and Emergency Communications. Currently, these operations are dispersed across three separate City buildings (21, 28 and 29 S. State St., respectively, in Uptown Westerville). “Volunteers and visitors frequently tour WPD The City purchased the building and land at 229 Huber Village headquarters and are consistently surprised Blvd. for the proposed Police/Court Facility. by the compact space, considering the size of the department,” says City Manager David Collinsworth. “This effort would address these long-standing needs and improve safety for the public and staff involved in the operation of the Mayors Court in City Hall.” The concept was planned for a number of reasons, including to unite staff and operations working across the City in multiple buildings and to improve safety with a dedicated Mayor’s Court space. However, the primary reason a larger facility is needed is because WPD has simply outgrown its current 30-year-old building. Ultimately, the decision to proceed with the project belongs to the voters, who will see the issue on their November 5 ballot. Estimated construction costs are approximately $15 million that would be financed through a voter-approved, 20-year bond issue, estimated at $960,000. If approved, the cost impact on property taxes would be approximately $2.80 per home for every $100,000 of market value of property. Find more information, including answers to frequently asked questions at www.westerville.org. www.westervillemagazine.com
THE PROPOSED POLICE/MAYOR’S COURT FACILITY AT A GLANCE Currently, space for Police/Mayor’s Court Operations is tight. So much so that operations had to be split across three buildings. Uniting these operations under one roof, improving efficiency and safety. Mayor’s Court 21 S. State St.
Police Division 28, 29 S. State St.
Police/Court Facility 229 Huber Village Blvd.
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Estimated construction costs are approximately $15million, financed through a proposed voter-approved, 20-year bond issue, estimated at $960,000.
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It’s up to you. Voters decide the issue on the Nov. 5 ballot. July/August 2019
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