FARMINGTON -- A new storage building with two bays to maintain police vehicles will soon be available for the Farmington Police Department.
The 40-foot by 52-foot building is located behind City Hall and has four separate, secure rooms for storing police equipment, files and other items. Police officers are in the process of moving boxes from their department in City Hall to the new building.
"We've outgrown everything is the problem," said Sgt. Mike Wilbanks. "Anyone who knows anything about Farmington knows that it is growing."
Chief Brian Hubbard said a plan to build a new facility behind City Hall has been around for about seven years.
Farmington City Council, on Nov. 11, 2009, approved a recommendation to apply for a grant to build a storage facility and wash bay but the city did not receive the grant.
Hubbard said the new building will take care of storage needs but will not help with space needed for the department itself.
"As a police department, we're stacked upon top of each other," Hubbard said.
The new bays will give Hubbard a place to install police equipment on new vehicles. Hubbard has been providing this service for the city for about 12 years but has used his own garage to complete the work.
He said he likes setting up new vehicles to fit the officer who will be driving the police car.
"If we send it out to a shop that does hundreds of these, they will set it up the same for all cars," Hubbard said.
He said some officers, for example, prefer a certain height for the armrest and like to have their radios in a certain position.
"I know who's getting the new car and will set it up to his taste," Hubbard said.
Coyle Enterprises of Prairie Grove submitted a low bid of about $115,000 to build the structure and received the contract. Hubbard said the building is almost finished except for a few items.
General News on 08/17/2016