BROOKINGS After evaluating more than a dozen potential sites over the past three years, the city of Brookings is proposing to construct a new police station near Medary Elementary School.
The new community-focused police station is being considered for a portion of land along Fifth Street South, just west of Medary Avenue South. The proposed project also includes plans for enhanced community park space.
Parks bring people together, and having a park next to the proposed police station helps build relationships in a natural way, Kristin Zimmerman, director of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, said. It provides opportunities for youth, families and officers to connect beyond official roles through play, conversation and community gatherings.
The city will host a public meeting to share information about the proposed plans and hear feedback from community members.
The meeting will take place Nov. 3 at the Brookings High School Cafeteria at 530 Elm Ave. People can choose to attend one of two sessions:
- Session 1: 4 to 6 p.m. with a 4:30 p.m. presentation.
- Session 2: 6 to 8 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. presentation.
Before and after the presentations, residents can view project information and ask questions of city officials.
The existing police station is outdated and does not meet the needs of a modern law enforcement facility, City Manager Paul Briseno said. Replacing the existing facility has been one of City Councils priorities for several years. The evaluation team is proposing the location near Medary Elementary after carefully considering more than a dozen potential sites throughout the city.
The existing Public Safety Center at 307 Third Ave. in downtown Brookings was constructed in the 1960s with an addition built in the 1980s. The facility currently houses both the police station and the Main Fire Station. In September, the city announced plans to build a new Main Fire Station on city-owned property just west of the existing station.
Keeping the Main Fire Station downtown ensures continued timely fire protection services for the northwest part of the city, Briseno said. The proposed police station site would locate the Police Department to a more centralized part of the city, allowing increased response time and operational efficiencies.
Police Chief Michael Drake said there are several benefits to the proposed location, including
- Enhanced collaboration, safety and visibility for the schools, students and families.
- The ability to incorporate an adjacent park spacethat strengthens neighborhood access to recreational amenities.
- The ability to better respond to the growing community through enhanced dispatch and operations.
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