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Police Department site on hold until arena decision
Published 12:00 p.m., June 30, 2009
The Eisenhower School building is likely to become home to a new Fergus Falls police station, but not before a professional appraisal of the building.
That was the word Monday at a joint meeting of the Fergus Falls School District and the City of Fergus Falls.
Detailed decisions regarding the agreement will be held off until after decisions are reached regarding the community ice arena project, which will put the police department project back behind the one year mark, according to City Administrator Mark Sievert.
"Eisenhower continues to be the most economical site for us," Sievert said in regard to the police department. "It's maybe not the most ideal but it's workable and everything really points toward that site."
The entire building would not be remodeled, but the gym would likely be turned into a garage to accommodate police vehicles.
If the district sells the building to the city, it would count as an asset and would not be added to the district's general fund. Rather, it would lessen the burden on tax payers, according to Superintendent Jerry Ness.
"The tax payers benefit from that reduction," Ness said. "It doesn't improve the financial picture for the district."
Because the district has not yet put a price tag on the building, it is not yet ready to say what that relief to the taxpayers could be.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by walleye29 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Many towns across the country have used old schools for police stations. They usually are not very cost effective for a number of reasons, poor windows. plumbing and inefficient heating and air conditioning systems,to name a few. I wonder how much asbestos is in the building or has it been encapsulated? I have been involved with these projects in the past and strongly urge the city to think hard on this one. In the long run it would be better to waite until we can afford to build a proper police station that will address our needs for many years to come in a cost effective manor.
Posted by ferguslifer (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its the only site that is empty and available. The other place they wanted, across the street is still being used.
Posted by PeterHaugen (Peter Haugen) on July 1, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nah,,, this is just a way for them to push the city into passing the arena... they will say they need the police force and therfor force the city council into making the decision instead of waiting for a referendum to come around and let the people vote on it in novemeber...
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