POUND RIDGE, N.Y. - Is a new police station in Pound Ridge’s future?
The town was presented with a conceptual design for the possible $5 million project by KD+G Architects in March.
It was the result of a six-month long study.
According to consultant Erik A. Kaeyer, KD+G started by surveying the existing facilities and gathering information from all involved parties, specifically the police themselves.
The existing 1,000-square-foot building could be replaced with a much larger structure on one of two possible locations at 177 Westchester Ave., he said.
At a proposed 2,695 square feet, it could include headquarters for emergency management folks, the town clerk’s office, separate locker rooms for male and female officers, a private interview room, and much-needed storage space.
It was expected to accommodate up to 30 employees.
Holding cells aren’t part of the plan.
However, a “sallyport” – aka a secure, controlled entry way – or a garage bay for police vehicles was under consideration.
“That way they can go directly into a garage, the door can close, and they can take the person who needs to be processed through a separate entrance and into the building,” Kaeyer said.
A new septic field would be required. Assuming the project goes ahead, ground testing to determine the height of the water table would be required. Hitting bedrock could add to the project’s costs, he pointed out.
Traffic flow, parking, environmental impacts, energy efficiency, updated communication systems, and keeping the façade aesthetically “consistent” with the character of the Town House and the campus were also part of the discussion.
Other options looked at but not presented at the March 18 meeting involved expanding the existing building or replacing it with a new one on the same spot.
“The challenge there is that the police department would have had to find a temporary home and we were trying to avoid that,” Kaeyer explained.
The concept now is to keep the current police station where it is and build elsewhere on the site. This would ensure that it remains operational throughout the construction phase. It would likely be repurposed by the town after the new one is up and running.
No action was taken at the meeting.
Next steps include the reconvening of the planning committee which, Kaeyer said, will direct the consultants on “how to proceed.”
KD+G will then be able to present to the town, if necessary, a “slightly modified design,” he added.
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