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Debate continues on cost, location of new Elkhorn police station

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

While Elkhorn officials have proposed a new police station in Tasch Park, a group of residents would like to see the department move into the old Walworth County Courthouse, above.

ELKHORN — Taxpayers and Elkhorn officials are battling over the cost and location of a new police station, delaying the project while the expense of construction continues to rise.

An group of residents wants the city to move the police department downtown into the west wing of the old courthouse for less than $1 million, but city officials most recently proposed a $4 million building in Tasch Park, away from the city's square.

"It's a matter of cost and prudently doing what needs to be done. Why don't you put it on a referendum, let the people vote if they want a new, expensive police department?" said Gene Hoffman, a member of a citizen group against a new police station.

City Council member Julie Taylor responded: "There were a lot of issues with the downtown location, which makes the other location more practicable. The police station hasn't' been downtown in 20-some years. Nothing is being taken away from downtown."

City officials are considering both options and intend to discuss the matter during a meeting Monday, Sept. 29.

Both sides agree that a larger police station is needed, but the debate has stalled the project that has been in the works for four years.

"Some of the delays, obviously, can be frustrating," Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen said. "But we understand, and we're getting through it."

The Elkhorn police station, located at the corner of North Washington Street and East First Avenue, is cramped and lacks the security features of modern police departments, city officials said.

The city in 2004 considered moving the police department into the 10,000-square-foot lower floor in the west wing of the old courthouse.

Officials scrapped that plan after learning the department would outgrow the building in less than 10 years.

The city then decided to construct a police station across the street from its existing location.

The initial plan was to build a 33,000-square-foot police station, but the size has been cut three times to a 15,000-square-foot building to save money.

The police department has 25 employees, including 16 full-time officers, two part-time officers, three dispatchers, two community-service officers and two part-time crossing guards.

The employees have worked in the current brick building with the street department since 1988.

Elkhorn, which has about 9,000 residents, was the fastest-growing city in Walworth County and nearly doubled in population during the 1990s and early 2000s.

The rapid growth impacted the police department, the police chief said, and the next police station must be adequate.

"It has to meet our needs, not only now, but in the future," Christensen said.

Hoffman, one of the residents opposed to a new building, said the old courthouse is big enough because it was previously home to the much larger Walworth County Sheriff's Office and Walworth County Jail.

And a $4 million dollar price tag for a new building is too much for taxpayers during a depressed economy, he said.

"We certainly don't deny that they need some new quarters," Hoffman said. "We're not opposed to the police department. They do a fine job."

TIMELINE

Some of the events involving a new police station in Elkhorn include:

1988—The Elkhorn Police Department moves into its current location on North Washington Street and East First Avenue. It is expected to be a temporary move.

1995—The Walworth County Law Enforcement Center opens along County NN, creating space in the west wing of the old courthouse in downtown Elkhorn.

2004—The Elkhorn Police Department explores the possibility of moving into the old courthouse.

2005—The city of Elkhorn explores other sites for the new police department after learning the old courthouse is not a long-term solution for a growing agency.

2007—The city decides to build a new police station in Tasch Park across the street from its current location.

March 2008—The city refines plans for a police station in Tasch Park, deciding to build a 33,000-square-foot facility.

April 2008—The 33,000-square-foot station is downsized to a 26,000-square-foot building.

May 2008—The 26,000-square-foot station is reduced to a 25,000-square-foot building.

August 2008—The 25,000-square-foot building is cut to 15,000 square feet. The city also revisits the possibility of moving the police department into the old courthouse.

Sept. 29, 2008—City officials are scheduled to discuss two plans. The first plan is a new building in Tasch Park, and the second plan is the old courthouse. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at City Hall, 9 S. Broad St., Elkhorn.