Where do you think Frederick’s next police headquarters should be located?
Grappling with growing pains, the Frederick Police Department is seeking community input to identify sites for a new headquarters.
According to Chief Ed Hargis, the Frederick Police Department Space Needs Assessment confirmed that the department outgrew its current operations years ago. A new Police Headquarters will allow the FPD to consolidate its operations, improve internal communications and work flow, and allow it to meet the many standards required of an accredited law enforcement agency today and into the future. Efforts are underway to identify a new Frederick Police Department Headquarters site within a one mile radius of the intersection of Market and Patrick Streets in Downtown Frederick.
The City of Frederick recently released a Request for Information (RFI) inviting owners to submit properties for consideration. Ideally, the site should be between three to ten acres, and capable of housing a 60,000 SF building. The site should support onsite parking and be within a close proximity to Courts, City Hall and Government Offices. The City will review existing buildings/locations, unimproved parcels, as well as a compilation of parcels.
Click here to download the complete RFI package.
With the present police department bursting at the seams, Chief Hargis stated, “Our facility does not meet today’s current needs and certainly cannot support the future expansion of the department as the City grows in both size and population. With present departmental operations scattered among multiple building locations, a new headquarters would help to improve efficiency in just about every aspect of our daily operations.”
As Maryland’s second largest City, the City of Frederick appears ready to support the development of a new headquarters site. The RFI is just one step in the lengthy process. Kelly Russell, Alderman, with the City of Frederick, who serves on the Site Selection Committee shared that “the Frederick Police Department has made great strides in the implementation of 21st Century Policing. It's time that they had a 21st century facility to enhance operations and efficiency, maximize resources, and build on its community engagement.”
Alderman Russell added, “Finding the best location to site a new headquarters is critical to support Frederick as it continues to grow as a welcoming and safe community for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Property proposals will be accepted for review through March 30, 2018.