TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Two long-term projects could cross each other if Topeka strives for the future.
The start of the reconstruction of the Polk Quincy Viaduct brings new attention to the discussions about the relocation of the Topeka and Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center.
One of the city's fleet services is located on the east side of the LEC property. The green light for the rebuilding of the Polk Quincy Viaduct is taking the path to flatten the curve through the rear of the facility.
The replacement of the fleet building is a must, says Hannah Uhlrig, deputy head of the internal service for public works, but with both projects the city has the luxury of time.
“It really speaks for the city to be more proactive and targeted with our actions,” said Uhlrig.
Uhlrig said the facility on the LEC site is one of the city's three fleet buildings to service 1,100 vehicles and equipment. Over the years, vehicles and equipment have all gotten bigger. Uhlrig said this means the city has realistically outgrown all three facilities, noting that the new snow plows have an inch of clearance to pull into a bay.
"Since we know that this (building at the LEC) has to change and will do so in the next few years, we want to make sure that we are building something that is sustainable for the city in the long term," said Uhlrig.
The new motorway will also take away a corner of the LEC parking lot. Uhlrig says that in and of itself does not mean the LEC will have to move, but a feasibility study has already been conducted on how the property could interfere with a new master plan in downtown Topeka, the potential for commercial development by connecting the NotO downtown notices.
“This really gives us the tools and the mechanism to speak about it from an educated point of view rather than being reactive and not having enough information to make the best choice for the city at the time it is presented to us ", she said.
City councils should see a draft of the feasibility study at their Tuesday evening session. Treanor HL group developed a public safety center concept that would house the Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff, Emergency Communications and Coroner, as well as Topeka Fire Service, City Court and Prosecutor and Probation Service.
TPD moved into the LEC in 1995, followed by the Sheriff's Office in 1998. The city renovated a former Montgomery Wards department store, funded by quarter-cent sales tax.
“The reality is that we have outgrown our needs. Our law enforcement – the digital needs, the changing needs of what storage is, the evolution of how it works within the community – has evolved. While we've made every effort to make this fit, it's something that is unlikely to be sustainable over time, ”said Uhlrig.
Uhlrig emphasizes that none of the projects are set in stone. For the fleet building, construction of Polk Quincy is not expected to begin before 2025; and the LEC has no timeline at all. She says the point is to be prepared.
“We just want to make sure that when the time comes, whether it's a new build or a retrofit to suit our needs, we always have the right information to do so. " She said.
Uhlrig says that no potential locations have yet been identified for either project. She says the cost is in the air too. The Treanor study proposes a 213,000 square meter public security building. It uses costs from comparable projects that would price it anywhere from $ 90 million to $ 105 million.
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