The City of Northglenn announced last week they are in the design phase for a new police department and municipal court — a Justice Center — to be located around 112th Avenue and Community Center Drive, near the water towers.

“The city is aware there are residential neighborhoods nearby and will address any concerns the residents may have,” said a press release Feb. 17. “The goal is for the new Justice Center to become a part of the fabric of the neighborhood with greater connectivity with the neighborhoods.”

City spokesperson Margo Aldrich last week offered up a 10-part question-and-answer regarding construction and completion of the $18 million development.

Why does Northglenn need a new police station?

Over the years, the current space has become too small. Built in the early 1980s, the building is beginning to show significant signs of age. The aging mechanical systems, and the size and configuration of the space simply don’t meet the needs of the department, or modern police department standards.

What about the municipal court? Why is that moving with the new police station?

The Council Chambers and municipal courtroom are currently one in the same. At one time, each had a separate space within City Hall, as is the general standard. Due to a lack of space in the building, about 10 years ago the chambers and courtroom were combined into a multipurpose space. This creates challenges in both the scheduling and functionality of the room. Having court co-located with the new police station will be efficient for residents and visitors.

How was the location on 112th Avenue selected?

All available property within the city was reviewed and subsequently narrowed down to two viable options. Based on safety considerations, site access, and the space needed, the site on Community Center Drive/112th Avenue was the most favorable, as it provides a centralized location for police services. The extra space gives us the added opportunity to make the new center pedestrian and neighborhood friendly.

This new police station will be close to residential neighborhoods. How will it impact those who live there?

One of the priorities in the design process for the facility is that construction and subsequent operations minimally impact the surrounding neighborhood. Residents who live in the neighborhood were invited to a well-attended forum in November 2015. After listening to why a new facility is necessary, and how the city intends to create greater connectivity with the neighborhood, the reaction from those in attendance was positive and supportive.

How much will the new police station cost and where will the funding come from?

Previously, $2.5 million was earmarked for site analysis, the engineer’s estimate of probable cost and architectural and engineering costs. Total budget for the project is $18 million. The city has identified several funding sources and options that will be further explored during the design process for building construction.

When the police department and court move out of city hall; what will happen to that space?

The courtroom will continue to be used for city council meetings, city events, and other meetings. We are looking at adaptive re-use of the area currently occupied by the police department.

What is the timeline? When will the new Northglenn Justice Center be completed?

The full design of this complex facility is expected to take 10 to 12 months. The construction project will go out to bid early in 2017. Construction will take a little more than a year, so the plan is to have a completed and operational facility before the end of 2018.

Is the city going to build a new recreation center and city hall?

The current Civic Center Master Plan project is underway and will address this question. It is anticipated the plan will be complete in 2016. Progress can be tracked at Community members can track the progress of this project online at www.northglennciviccenter.org.

What’s the next step in the development of the justice center?

The design phase is next. After an extensive process and search, the city recently contracted with Hoefer Wysocki Architecture LLC (HWA), a company specializing in the design of police stations and other municipal buildings. While HWA is located in Kansas, they work with cities across the country and will collaborate with several Denver-based companies during the design of the justice center.

How will the city keep us informed about the design and construction process of the new justice center?

The city will put updates in the Connection (our community newsletter), on the city’s website and on social media. There will also be a public open house, a meeting where residents can come and see the drawings and plans for the new building, ask questions and learn about the process. In addition, the city will distribute information via email to those that request it. To be added to this email distribution list, sign up at www.northglenn.org/enews.