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- The Nantucket Police Department moved into the current Poli
 ce Station facility at 20 South Water Street as a temporary solution 29 years ago when there were 16 year-round police officers and 8 summer specials answering 12,000 incoming calls to help the community.
- Today, in 2009, this same facility houses 40 police officers year-round plus 40 summer specials from mid-May through September, handling 40,000 calls for service and permit requests annually from the community. The police force and demand for services have grown but the facility has not. Although the facility as a whole is outdated as a primary Police Station, the front portion of the building will be used as a substation, insuring a continued police presence in downtown Nantucket.
- In addition to having seriously inadequate space for the Nantucket Police Department’s 365 day-a-year, 24 hour operation, the current Police Station is also not in compliance with critical Massachusetts or U.S. codes for accessibility (including handicapped access), safety and security.
- The existing Police Station’s non-compliance with State and Federal building codes puts the Town of Nantucket at risk for costly lawsuits. The courts have recently ruled against a number of municipalities in cases involving non-compliant public buildings, including $3.25 million paid out by the City of Philadelphia and a $9 million award to a litigant against the City of Scottsdale. A costly judgment would have a major impact on the Town of Nantucket budget and taxpayers.
- Voters at Town Meeting on April 6 have the opportunity to show their support by saying “Yes on Article 11” for a new Police Station at 2 Fairgrounds to correct these substandard conditions.
- The original 2 Fairgrounds Road project – which included a new Fire Station – was 58,081 square feet at an estimated cost of $27.5 million. The new project – a Police Station only – is based on a recommendation by the Citizen Advisory Committee for a Public Safety Facility. This project has been scaled down to 36,871 square feet with a cost not to exceed $15.5 million.
- $3.3 million is already on hand for the project. Of this amount, $2.3 million in county Deeds Excise funds will no longer be available after 2011. Other public funding, including stimulus money, is being actively pursued for the project since it is “shovel ready.”
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The balance of the project will be paid for through a Prop 2 ˝ debt exclusion override, if Article 11 is approved at Town Meeting on April 6 and if the ballot measure passes at the April 14 Election. If approved, the cost would be $40.68 a year or $3.39 a month on a property valued at $1,165,950 (median value of a Nantucket home with residential exemption) for 20 years starting in 2011.
- Why should we take on this project now in the current economic climate? Construction costs are down. Project bids for similar police facilities are coming in 15%-20% below estimates. The Town has already invested $17 million to date in the purchase, permitting, and design on this project and has been working toward the goal of building a Public Safety Facility since 1989. We need an adequate, modern-day facility that is up to code for safety, accessibility and security now!
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| Town Projects Administrator |
Diane O'Neil
16 Broad Street, 1st Floor
Nantucket, MA 02554
Phone: (508) 228-7255
doneil@nantucket-ma.gov
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| Project Team |
Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc.
www.kba-architects.com
Michael McKeon,AIA,LEED AP
Principal-in-Charge
Kevin Witzell,RA
Project Architect
Ken Costello, ASLA
Landscape Architect/
Site Planner
Paul Dominov,RA
Project Designer
Kristen Smith
Interior Designer
Dave Morais
Job Captain
Garcia, Galuska, Desousa, Inc.
Edward J. Galuska, P.E.
Carlos G. Desousa, P.E.
Chris M. Garcia, P.E.
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
& Fire Protection Engineering
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