Space limitations have encouraged Northside police and fire leaders to consider a possible joint site where they might better serve the growing community.
“I have been part of conversations with the Fire Department regarding possible sharing of facilities,” said North District Police Captain Jamar Gary. No proposed site has been identified. “A previous captain had a dream of a station across Packers Avenue from our current location, but that is no longer possible,” said Gary, referring to the construction of the River Food Pantry and an Avis/Budget facility.
The current police station location at 2033 Londonderry Drive, which opened in 1997, houses about 60 officers, who work at varying times of the day and night. They are located in an 8,191-square-foot building that includes a community meeting room as well as locker rooms, offices, a workout facility, a briefing room, an evidence room, an interview room and two small holding cells.
The prime requirements for a new station would be cost effectiveness, sufficient space for operations and parking, as well as security, Gary said.
Some locations that might work for a police station would not work for a fire station, and their service boundaries differ somewhat. Also, both departments must deal with serving an expanding population and new facilities. For instance, new apartment buildings have been built on the Northside, and there is a new UW East Hospital in the American Parkway area.
Jeffrey Larson, an assistant chief for fire operations, said the aging firehouse at 1517 Troy Drive just off Northport Drive is in a good location to serve the Northside, but has worn down. Also, “there is barely enough room for the six people on staff on a shift,” and there is not developmental land nearby, he said.
“It has been there since 1962 and is one of our oldest firehouses,” Larson added. The station houses an engine crew and an ambulance.
A joint facility would allow a combined emergency response instead of police and fire departments responding separately, he noted. “We are not at the level of a three-year or five-year plan, but I have sat in on various meetings. The city as a whole needs to look at opportunities,” Larson said.
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, asked about the police-fire situation, said that it is a real estate issue at this point, finding an appropriate available space. However, she cautioned that even if a site is located, “conversations would have to take place” regarding whether to proceed.
