Robert W. Szala, Police Chief
249 Russells Mills Road
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Dartmouth Police Provide Update on Progress Toward New Police Station
DARTMOUTH — The Dartmouth Police Station project is on schedule, and the feasibility study is underway.
The goal of the project is to construct the Town of Dartmouth’s first standalone police station, at a reasonable cost, with room for growth. If approved and built, the police station is expected to serve the town’s needs for the most of the remaining century and beyond.
The Carell Group (TCG) met with the Police Chief’s Advisory Group on Dec. 14 and presented preliminary design proposals and floorplans. The project calls for a 21,500 sq. ft. two-story facility that is designed to meet the town’s aesthetic and functionality needs.
The Advisory Group voted, after a thorough review of the plans, to accept the concept for the purposes of generating a cost estimate of the project. The architect was authorized to proceed with an estimate. In addition to the physical plant, other project costs are currently being estimated, including: communications equipment, professional fees, technology, office equipment, and testing services. The goal is to complete the project budget with all research, estimating, and quotations simultaneously with the building/site cost estimate. This would give the town a realistic and complete picture of the cost of the police station project.
A draft budget is anticipated at the end of January. The draft feasibility study will be given to the town on Feb. 15, and the final version is expected to be ready March 1.
Ballfields
TCG will be meeting with the Park Board on Jan. 17 to begin discussions on the existing ball fields at the Gidley School and options for alternative locations, including the possibility of building new ballfields on the former police station site.
Gidley Demolition
Approval was received in December to demolish the Gidley School. Key elements of the building will be salvaged for use in the new police station.
The bidding process for the demolition of the Gidley School began on Jan. 4 with pre-bid briefing and a walk-through held on Jan. 10. Formal bids are due on Jan. 25 and demolition could begin as early as February or March.
Public Presentations
A public update to the Dartmouth Select Board is scheduled for Feb. 6, and a Joint Select Board/FinCom Presentation is scheduled for March 6.
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