ENM Council asks for bids on new police dept. building

The Elko New Market City Council took a step toward construction of a new building for the city’s Police Department. At its Thursday, Jan. 23, meeting the council approved plans and authorized bids for the new building, which will be an addition to Elko New Market City Hall.

City Administrator Tom Terry and Todd LaVold of the architectural firm Leo Daly presented the proposal to the council. Terry said the police department is currently located in a 102 year old building that has been many things. It began as a one room school house and was the Elko Post Office and Elko City Hall before the merger of the two cities.

The 2,764-square foot building was renovated and has been serving as the Police Department. In February 2019, the council authorized city staff to enter an agreement with Leo Daly to develop options for remodeling the building for a more efficient and effective use of the interior space, meet interior accessibility standards, remove mold problems, complete structural modifications and update electrical, plumbing and other systems.

In April 2019 designs for the building were provided to RJM Construction and Mohs Construction, who came back with cost estimates ranging from $1.2 million to $1.6 million. Both companies suggested new construction might provide more value in the long run and mitigate the uncertainties of having to remodel the building again. It was noted there isn’t much space to expand on the current site as the building is hemmed in by the Elko Express baseball field, parking for the ball field and a playground.

The proposed addition to City Hall would be at the back of the building and early estimates placed it between $1.9 million to $2.8 million. This includes work to the current Police Department building to address structural issues, removing mold and mildew and meeting current building codes where necessary to preserve the building, which would be used in the interim as a storage area.

During discussion of the proposed addition, LaVold was asked if the new building....

To see more on this story pick up the January 30, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times.