Bloomington considers moving police, fire departments to Showers Building
Plans are in the works to spend $9.25 million to buy a portion of the Showers Building adjacent to City Hall for new headquarters for Bloomington's police and fire departments.
There are details, including the financing, to be addressed before the project advances.
Flooding last summer caused major damage to both departments' downtown headquarters, located a block away from one another. The fire station had to relocate; the police department underwent a months-long cleanup but remains open.
The historic Showers Brothers Furniture Co., built in 1910, has three sections. The city owns one that houses city offices and the county has offices in another part. CFC Properties owns the third portion, which is 64,000 square feet at 320 W. Eighth St. The Bloomington Redevelopment Commission would buy the CFC section if city council members approve the purchase.
A city news release said the consolidation would bring improved facilities and more collaboration with other city departments, "modernizing public safety facilities under one roof and centralizing service locations," Mayor John Hamilton.
He said the purchase preserves and integrates into the city complex a structure with historical value.
The city's offer to purchase has been accepted, and the sale is contingent on inspections and another big factor: money. "Closing of the deal is also contingent upon successfully procuring the financing for the project," the city news release said.
The city council has designated funds from the increased Economic Development Local Income Tax for public safety, including for a new police department and fire administration office.
More:Bloomington City Council OKs countywide income tax hike. Here's how much it will cost you.
“Our department administration has been spread out all over the city for years and for the first time, we would be able to be in the same location working closer with other city departments," Bloomington Fire Department Chief Jason Moore said in the news release.
City police Mike Diekhoff was quoted as well. "The Bloomington Police Department is in critical need of a new facility," he said. "A new police headquarters will strengthen public safety in our community and help us retain and recruit new officers."
He called the consolidation of offices at City Hall "a logical extension of the city’s desire to provide for Bloomington residents.”
The city cited "the continued preservation of an historic structure in Bloomington" as another reason to purchase the CFC portion of the Showers Building.
Plans for the current police station, at the corner of Third and Lincoln streets, and the vacant fire department building, at the corner of Fourth and Lincoln streets, "will be determined at a later date," the news release said.
Contact reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com, 812-318-5967 or 812-331-4362.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington's historic Showers building could house police, fire
