No formal announcement yet, but plans for a new Independence Township Sheriff Substation are moving forward.
‘When the new fire station (Fire station No. 3) was built approximately 12 years ago, the sheriff’s substation was incorporated into that and the understanding was always that it was temporary because of its lack of size,? said Supervisor Dave Wagner. ‘And also with growth within the fire department they would eventually need that additional space.?
The township has saved for years in a Police Fund, which currently has more than $800,000. Wagner also said they have looked at different properties in the past, discussed locations with Oakland County, and talked about combining substations with other municipalities to be more efficient.
‘When our new location property (next to new town hall) became available, it was kind of ideal,? he said. ‘So we made a decision to look at the feasibility of doing it relatively soon, within this year.?
He hopes to bring plans to the board in April, when all information is collected. Wagner has been working on this project with the sheriff’s office for almost two years.
‘Once again I’m hoping that we’ll be able to build this without going to the public for additional monies,? Wagner said. ‘I’m hopeful we’ll be able to do it in-house, but that will be a decision that the board will make.?
If approved by the board, Wagner said they hope to break ground in June or July.
The Citation Road substation is 2,400 square feet, and the new substation will be 5,000-6,000 square feet. Wagner estimated between $800,000-$1 million to build the new substation.
‘I might go out and look for some private donations,? he said.
One advantages for the new station is it would be ‘centrally located with quick access to I-75,? he said.
Trustee Mark Petterson agreed.
‘A centralized location with access to the highway would benefit everybody,? Petterson said. ‘Keeping citizens safe, that’s the most important thing.?
Petterson said he is looking forward to discussing the proposal.
‘It’s really important everybody knows what’s going on,? he said. ‘We have to look at the costs and find out what it would take.?
Trustee David Lohmeier said he doesn’t have any ‘predisposition? toward the substation, but believes the township needs to first agree on priorities concerning Capital Improvement Projects, as well as knowing the township’s financial situation.
‘I’ve got to see the data on the substation and see the need analysis on it because we haven’t seen anything on it other than the supervisor saying it was coming this year,? Lohmeier said. ‘I’m not prejudging anything, but I need to see a lot of background information before I feel comfortable voting on anything.?
Fire Chief Steve Ronk said they will ‘welcome the extra room,? but have no immediate plans for the additional space.
“We’ve got a couple ideas and a couple of them are a little forward thinking,? he said. ‘So we’re going to see how it all plays out.?