The Tumwater City Council approved a $387,660 contract with Tacoma-based Architects Rasmussen Triebelhorn last week to lead the design plans to nearly double the police station’s size. The $3.3 million project includes a 5,000-square-foot expansion to the police station wing of City Hall and upgrades including a new heating system and replacing the roof.
The remodel and expansion is one of four legs of the city’s plans to upgrade police and fire services after voters approved significant tax increases in November, Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet said.
“This is really an important project for us,” Kmet said.
Police officials say insufficient space makes the prisoner-holding area unsafe, and there is not enough room for investigations, operations and victim assistance.
The design firm has a background with law enforcement, including designing the Pierce County court renovation, Lakewood and Sumner police facilities and the Thurston County Jail renovations, according to a city staff report. The city says it is in negotiations with the Department of Enterprise Services for a construction manager to work on behalf of the city.
Kmet said the city’s goal is to start construction next year.
The improved station also will be home to a few more police officers. The department plans to hire two patrol officers to supplement nighttime staffing, and a school resource officer.
Police aren’t the only public-safety workers reaping the rewards of the tax increase. The Tumwater Fire Department plans to hire six firefighters in 2012, including three using funds from the levy, fire chief John Carpenter said.
He said more than 500 people came out last week for testing and that the department will receive a list of scores the middle of next week. The goal is to get the three new hires into academy by February and on the streets in June. Another three firefighters will be hired in September, paid with funds from a recent annexation.
The city is expected to award a bid for a new fire truck which will be delivered about a year later. The additional levy revenue allows the department to replace an engine every six years.
The higher property taxes are expected to bring in $1.5 million additional revenue in 2012.
Nate Hulings: 360-754-5476
nhulings@theolympian.com
www.theolympian.com/outsideoly
