BPD Chief Defends New Police Building Selection

Burlington’s Police Chief stepped up to the plate last night at a Burlington City Council work session to answer some common questions about the city’s plans to purchase and renovate the US Bank Building for use as a police station.

Police Chief Doug Beaird specifically defended the selection of the US Bank building over several other locations, including the Tom’s Market building on Division Street. Beaird says that concerns about the building, located just two blocks from the river, being a flood risk are unwarranted.

“I was assigned to the US Bank Building for three to four years as part of the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force. One of those years was 1993. I specifically remember when main street was flooded, and I was in the basement at least once a week during that timeframe and the basement was completely dry,” Beaird explained. He told KBUR the building was a “Great fit”.

Beaird says that covered parking additions are also going to be part of the renovation plan at the US Bank Building. A lack of covered parking was one of the issues plaguing the Department’s degraded current third street location.

The selection has generated some controversy ahead of a November 3rd vote on whether or not to authorize the City Council to borrow an expected $2.2 million to make the move. The bond agreement is not expected to raise property taxes.

Other locations, such as the Tom’s Market building or building a new station entirely were deemed too expensive by City Officials. At a previous City Council meeting, officials explained that the Tom’s Market building would require about $1 million more in electrical work than the US Bank Building.

In the meantime, the Police Department is adding additional evening tours to their weekly tour schedule of the current police building. You can tour the building on Thursdays between 2 and 4 and 5 and 7pm.