December 3, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Construction bids will soon be sought for a new Smithville Police Department headquarters.
Earlier this year the city contracted with Wayne Oakley of Studio Oakley Architects, LLC for the design of the facility at a cost of $105,000 which was included in the 2019-20 budget as engineering fees.
During Monday night’s regular monthly meeting, Mayor Josh Miller updated the aldermen on the project.
“I talked to Mr. Oakley today (Monday) and we are about 75% complete on our construction documents. Mr. Oakley said he will put these documents out for bids the first of January and leave it out for bids for about four weeks. The first of February we should know more about the cost of the facility and then we can take further steps on what we need to do,” said Mayor Miller.
The proposed 7,805 square foot structure is to be built on the north side of the city hall/fire department complex at Don Cantrell Street.
The cost of the new facility could be as much as two million dollars to be funded either on a long term note or bond issue. That is yet to be determined. From the start date of construction, projections are the building could be completed possibly within one year.
For more than 40 years the Smithville Police Department has been headquartered in the City Hall building downtown.
Police Chief Mark Collins has said the existing police department has outgrown city hall with offices scattered out on both floors of the two story building creating a lack of room and security.