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 The first part of the presentation from Brian Wright covered the
space needs of the two departments as standalone facilities as well
as in a combined safety complex scenario.
In the second part of the presentation, Erik Illies of FGM walked
through the site selection process the firm and committee used, and
offered information about a variety of locations within the city.
The firm identified locations throughout the city and analyzed each
for feasibility for separate structures as well as a combined
complex. Illies said that in looking at the various locations
consideration had to be given to the floodplain status of the area
and also to mine subsidence. Each property was rated for those
threats, plus the firm looked at response times throughout the town
from a specific location.
Illies explained that the response times were particularly important
for the fire department, while the location of a site would not have
that much of an effect on the police department.
Another consideration was the proximity to utilities, were there
already electric, water, and sewer, or would installing these
services be added to the cost of the facility.
Short 11th Street south of the Logan County Fairground
Illies said this location would fit nicely for the city because of
its proximity to Lincoln Parkway. He said that was one of the pros.
On the negative side, for the fire department specifically, there
would be a noise issue from the Lincoln Speedway. Lincoln
firefighters work 24-hour shifts, and during a portion of that
shift, they are sleeping. The noise level could disrupt their sleep.
Therefore a standalone fire station, or a combined unit might not be
the best option for the location. On the other hand he said the
police department doesn’t have the issue of needing a restful
location for personnel.
Kickapoo at Delavan Street
Illies said this site was out of the flood plain, but getting close
to the mine subsidence. He said there were power lines already in
place. There are also existing structures that would have to be
demolished. He also noted that the city already owns a portion of
this location which would help in the land cost. On the con side of
the scenario, he noted the future plan to close Pekin Street at the
south corner of this space. He said that could affect response times
in the future.
Illies said this site would be a tight fit, but could work. For the
fire department, though, he said the city would have to go back to a
two-story building.
Apex Park on 8th Street
FGM had worked with a committee of aldermen as well as city police
and fire staff, on the project they were presenting Monday night.
Illies, when talking about the Apex site said he understood that the
city wanted to have a greenspace park in that area, but that both
could be accomplished. The city currently owns the site so that
would greatly reduce the overall cost of construction.
Wright also spoke up and said that the site was in a residential
area. He assured the aldermen that if that location was chosen, the
overall exterior design of the building would be done so that the
facility would blend into the neighborhood.
Illies went back to discussing the site for a viable location and
noted that one pro would be that it would lend itself naturally to
community outreach for the city departments. He said with the
facility incorporated with a park area, the city departments could
hold family nights, education programs with local children and more
in the park setting.
He said there were no flood plain issues, and though close to
existing mine areas there were no issues with mine subsidence.
He also said this was a site that lent itself to a combined facility
very well.
North of Woodlawn Road between Postville Drive and North Main
Street
The pros of this site were that it is close to main roadways, and
the site is largely undeveloped so there would be no demolition
costs. Illies also noted there would be no need to re-zone the
location to fit inside current city codes.
The con for a combined facility or a standalone fire station was its
proximity to the Lincoln Rural Fire facility. Generally speaking,
when a call goes out for a fire department, both the city and
Lincoln Rural are ready to respond. The department that is closest
obviously will have the quicker response time. The con would be with
both departments in the same part of town, one would not be quicker
than the other in response times.
[to top of second column] |
Malerich Drive behind Wal-Mart
The city owns 25 acres behind the Wal-Mart. Approximately five acres are
currently being used by the Lincoln Futbol Club. Illies said the development
would be in the northeast corner of the property, and would still allow plenty
of space for the park area. He noted that having the departments in that part of
town could also spur future development.
Existing facility – fire department
Illies discussed adding to the existing fire department using what is now the
parking lot area between the city hall/fire station and the Pink Shutter. Illies
said at this location there were no floodplain concerns, but there are settling
issues. He said the site was small so the only consideration would be for an
expansion of the fire department.
He did note that at this location, a building could be erected that would allow
for fire trucks to pull in one end and out the other. He said this would be a
benefit in that it would eliminate the safety issues related to backing a fire
truck in or out of a building.
Existing facility location for the police department
The Logan County Board has discussed giving the green space at the Logan County
Safety Complex to the city for a new police station. This would be the park-like
area on the south side of the complex parking lot.
Illies said that there were no flood concerns, but that working with the
committee of aldermen and police and fire staff, they had learned that there are
currently settling issues with the existing safety complex, which would cause
concern for the new structure as well.
One benefit of this location would be the city could still utilize the holding
cells of the Logan County building, reducing the space need and cost of the city
police facility.
Alternative for existing facilities
FGM also looked at moving the police department to the west on the other side of
the street, and adjacent to the existing fire department. Illies noted that with
the proposal to expand the existing fire department the parking for city
employees would be lost. There would also be a reduction in parking if a police
station were built adjacent to the current safety complex. He said if the police
station were moved closer to the fire department, parking could be developed at
the current green space at the safety complex. He added though, that even so,
there would be a greater need for street-side parking for city personnel.
Site matrix
Wright wrapped up the FGM presentation by explaining a site matrix the firm had
drawn up for easy comparison of the cost of each site for each department as
well as the combined facility.
He walked through the spreadsheet document quickly with the aldermen, pointing
out that for each site, the matrix showed whether or not demolition would be
needed, would land have to be purchase, utilities added, and more. Wright
explained that the matrix would offer the city a side by side comparison of the
cost fluctuations that would come as a result of those varying needs.
Parrott asked Wright to offer some advice on how the city should choose a
location. Wright said that first and foremost they should avoid mine areas. In
addition to that, he said the council would need to set their priorities in what
they wanted and where they wanted it. He added that he personally would not want
to have a single facility that combined both fire and police, but again that was
a decision the city would have make.
Wright concluded by discussing construction times for the facilities based on
single units and combined. He added that once a site is chosen, the city will
want to do its due diligence, including checking for underground storage tanks,
soil borings and more. He said at this point, the firm has completed what they
were hired for. However, he added that FGM is at the disposal of the city and is
ready to move on to the next steps when the city is ready.
Jeff Hoinacki had served on the committee and said that having the committee on
the whole and FGM on board had been very helpful and enlightening. He felt the
study would be a valuable tool for the city moving forward.
Going back to site selection, Wright added his advice would be to pick a site
that allows the city to create and fulfill goals for a certain area for the
future. He said the city had the opportunity to control its destiny through the
right site selection.
City Administrator Clay Johnson said that the council had taken in a lot of
information, and there was much that needed to be considered and discussed.
[Nila Smith] |
