The Livermore Police Department needs more space, and the City Council happens to have some.
At its regular meeting Monday night, the council will likely designate its former meeting spot -- a triple-wide trailer at 3575 Pacific Ave. where it held meetings for 30 years -- as a place the department can use for a much-needed expansion of office, storage and tactical space.
"City property is a finite resource, and there are many competing interests and needs to consider when allocating use," said a needs assessment, from a city-hired consultant. "However, the former council chambers property is situated adjacent to the Police Department, with direct access to Pacific Avenue."
The report doesn't have a cost analysis but offers comparisons to other East Bay police departments of similar size, like San Leandro, which is currently expanding into other city facilities for $9.4 million.
The item appears on the council's consent calendar, meaning it's considered routine and no discussion is scheduled. Officially, the council is just receiving the analysis, done by an outside consultant, and reserving the property for the project. There's likely a long process ahead before the Police Department can take possession of the building, which was vacated in 2019.
The council began holding meetings there in 1988 as a temporary measure and ended up staying much longer than the estimated five years.
The council now meets, when not restricted by COVID-19, in the larger John Shirley Council Chambers, named after the former Livermore mayor and World War II veteran. The $6 million space holds up to 200 people in an amphitheater-style layout, with modern technology and adjacent meeting rooms, all of which can be turned into an Emergency Operations Center.
The report says there's a "critical need for short-to-long term Police Department expansion facilities." The department currently encompasses a two-story, fully occupied 54,240-square-foot building with a 147-stall parking lot, designed for its needs in 1990.
The consultant recommends a phased approach "over a number of years." Phase one would address short-term needs to existing deficiencies, like new a new tactical vehicle bay and more storage for evidence and mobile assets.
Phase two would include expanding office space, of which there's currently no room for growth. The department's criminal investigations division would move in this phase, which would also include a new armory. An alternative phase two would entail building a new training facility in lieu of further office expansion and dorm facilities. The report says "a better option is construction of a freestanding training facility located in the area of the existing adjacent solar farm."
Phase three would entail building two four-bed dormitories, allowing officers to rest on site. The report calls commuting "a major recruiting concern." The dormitories would provide additional support during extended emergencies.
The Livermore City Council meets virtually at 6:30 p.m. Monday. For details and information on viewing and/or participating, go to https://bit.ly/2LrBUQq.
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