New PWPD Civilian Building Committee Formed
The committee will help the Port Washington Police District develop a modernized, expanded headquarters.
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To relocate, or expand the current Port Washington Police District headquarters? The point will be debated among the PWPD's recently appointed seven civilian building committee members.
The committee was announced to the community Thursday, Dec. 1 at police headquarters. Members include James Cowles, Mark Hanlon, Reed Markham, John Immitt, Fred Blumlein, Milan Schiff and Stanley Ronell. Schiff and Ronell were not at Thursday's meeting.
In selecting the team, “we were looking for diversity, such as picking attorneys, architects, building designers,” Police Commissioner James Duncan said. “Knowledge of the district and the length of time someone lived here were additional deciding factors.”
Police Commissioner Dave Franklin said the committee and the police department are looking for the best facility at the best price. But he and Duncan agreed that right now, all options are on the table.
“Currently, we are sitting in approximately 10,000 square feet on Port Washington Boulevard, and we need to expand to 20,000 or 25,000 square feet,” Duncan said. “If we expand at the current headquarters then we would think about building a pistol range and underground parking. We now have three holding cells here to hold perpetrators and that would stay the same if we stay here.”
Fred Blumlein, a civilian who was newly appointed to the committee said that he and the other members have the right tools to complete the job.
“If we can build here then it might take just around two years for expansion, but when it comes down to looking for another location that will probably take quite awhile longer,” said Blumlein.
In January committee members will tour the current facility and provide their analysis, according to Franklin.
“We have been looking for a new facility for the past few years and hopefully we will decide soon if we should move or stay,” Franklin said.
Nassau Taxpayer
11:47 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
PWPD needs 100 to 150% more space? Why, exactly? PWPD expansion comes at a cost, on top of fees paid to NCPD. Are there savings in this PWPD expansion plan via services no longer required from NCPD? Tell us more.
Kathy Vanvalkenburg
11:33 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Will MR.Duncan make any money from the Building expansion?
1.Who is going to do the work ?
2.will the job go out to bid?
3. will all bids be open to the public?
lets keep it fair and Transparent so the town is HAPPY!.
Good luck to all on the committee, we will be watching very closely.
Ed Shendell
12:54 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
How was this committee formed and who selected the members? Not questioning those selected or their integrity or ability. Wondering about the process since the first I have heard of this committee is this story in the Patch.
Dave Franklin
3:57 am on Monday, December 12, 2011
Mr. Shendell,
We put an ad in the Port News as well as here on the Patch reaching out to interested professionals with skills and/or experience in architecture, project management, engineering, etc. who were willing to volunteer their time and talents in an effort to build or renovate the Police Headquarters. The Board of Commissioners received about 20 resumes and chose the individuals based on experience and education. Those who volunteered and were selected are some of the finest minds in Port Washington, and we are certainly grateful for their time.
Nassau Taxpayer
10:37 am on Monday, December 12, 2011
Which of these individuals can FIRST answer the question: "How can the department justify its stated need to expand its office footprint by 100 to 150% ?"
Port
12:56 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Is it possible to consider using the old East Coast gym facility down near Bar Beach - certainly worth taking a look at how to revitalize an existing building that is dormant rather than building new. Also, wouldn't it be prudent to have emergency vehicles down in that area rather than having them racing through Beacon Hill several times a day at enourmously high rates of speed to get to the corporate park or the Harbor Links residence. Beacon Hill and especially the hill just west of the light at Longview was not set up for this traffic. It is a blind spot and if an emergency vehicle is passing a car and there is a car coming over the hill - they will crash. It has come very close to happening on more than one occasion. Could you please let us know if you are indeed considering revitalizing some of the vacant properties in town.
Nassau Taxpayer
1:46 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Revitalizing vacant properties has merit -- if any change in location or space is warranted, which are in no way yet clear -- but a Bar Beach location is not exactly central to the police district, and in addition would force a far greater number of responses over Beacon Hill Road in the opposite direction to what you now claim is dangerous.
NYB
2:33 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
Traffic light preemption could address most of your concerns, now ask the county why they dont' care that much about your life.
I don't get the impression that the PD only or even typically responds to calls from their headquarters either...maybe someone can comment on that.
Nassau Taxpayer
2:48 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011
Pre-emption doesn't address the circuitous routing, the dangerous road or the response time. But please do play again.