HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WFFT) - The Huntington City Police Department announced Thursday morning they have plans to build a new facility downtown.
The department said on their Facebook page they have been in the northeast corner of the City Building since 1904 and have spilled over into former utility headquarters across the street.
Now, city leaders have decided it's time for a new building to accommodate the growing department and their equipment.
The Facebook post goes on to say the 17,000 square foot, two story building will be built on the north end of the city parking lot on Cherry Street.
It's expected to cost around $4.8 million and will be paid for with $2.2 million the city has on hand and a bond issue that will be paid back over the next 20 years with income from the Local Option Income Tax.
Construction on the building will start in March or April and be finished in the spring of 2020.
Chief Chad Hacker said in the post the final decision came from a lack of training and interview space, lack of storage, and poor ventilation in current storage areas that sometimes house dangerous drugs.
Several available buildings around Huntington were considered for the department, but the north end of Cherry Street was decided on as the best location, and includes room to expand.
The new building will have two car bays, several interview rooms, a training room, a records office, work space, properly ventilated evidence storage, a drug testing area, and space for detectives.
