The Burlington Police Department opened it’s doors to voters yesterday for the first in what will be a series of weekly tours at the current police station.
Police Chief Doug Beaird escorted a group of residents and media through the deteriorating facility ahead of a November 3rd vote on whether or not to authorize the City Council to purchase and renovate the US Bank building for use as a new police station.
Burlington Police Chief Doug Beaird points at the degrading facade on the Third Street Building.
Beaird pointed out a huge number of problems with the aging facility, first built in the 1880’s as a carriage factory. Problems included cracked structural support beams, water damage, and several severely deteriorated walls.
“This isn’t the floor that’s moved,” said, Beaird, as he pointed to a damaged wall, “This is the wall that’s bowed away from the floor. It has about a three to four inch gap [between the wall and the floor].”
This is the east wall that Beaird says is pulling away from the building itself. You can clearly see a gap between the wall, floor, and south wall. This wall could be at risk of collapsing into the alley nearby.
Those in attendance walked away with a general consensus that they would vote “yes” to authorize the City Council to renovate the US Bank building. While she can’t vote yet, 4-year old Kadira Lincoln made her thoughts clear.
“They need a better building,” Lincoln said out of the blue. “This building is cracked open.”
Dan Wischmeier is a candidate for city council in November. He was on Thursday’s tour.
“We need to move the police department somewhere else… Lets pay for the bond issue, and lets move it,” Wischmeier told KBUR.
Water damage is clearly seen in the records room. Beaird says that when it rains, water freely runs through the room.
The city is asking voters to approve a loan of up to $4 million for the purchase, move and renovation. City Manager Jim Ferneau says that the actual amount of the loan will likely be around $2.2 million and will not include a property tax increase.
The tours will continue every Thursday from 2-4 pm until the week of the vote.
Beaird stands in the cramped locker room facility, with a small space for showing behind him.
Beaird says that this support beam was painted several years ago, and that the crack has expanded over time.
Water and mold damage on the now-unused third floor of the building, formerly occupied by the County Attorney’s Office.
