The Norcross City Council approved the transfer of $5 million at its March 2 meeting for the construction of the new public safety building, setting up the relocation of the police department and municipal court this August.
Construction on the $20 million, 42,252-square-foot facility at Buford Highway and Stephens Road began last July. In a February update, the city reported framing is nearly complete, exterior brickwork is underway along Buford Highway, and windows are scheduled for installation.
The building is on the site of the former Norcross Library along State Route 13. Norcross officials announced exterior work will be complete sometime in mid-March.
The Norcross Police Department is comprised of 53 sworn officers, 20 civilian staff, and two contracted mental health professionals. The Norcross Municipal Court and Police Department are currently housed at its city hall at 65 Lawrenceville St.
Building a public safety hub
Elected officials approved the transfer of $5 million from an electric authority (MEAG) trust fund to the city’s operating fund last May to finance the facility’s construction costs. The March 2 vote to allocate the funding was unanimous.
Finance Director Jon Robinson said the final transfer is necessary for the project’s budget, allowing construction to continue and providing cash flow.
After construction wraps up in mid-August, the Norcross Public Safety Building will have 2,600 square feet of public-facing meeting space and 4,000 square feet of unfinished space for expansion.
The project team, including Turner & Townsend Heery, AEI, and Reeves Young, anticipates having the building weather-tight in March.
City Manager Eric Johnson said staff will be presenting a financing plan for the building’s construction in April.
“You’ll have the opportunity to decide if you want to upsize the borrowing and sit on some of the cash,” Johnson said. “We’ll be prepared to pivot … I like to put as much money down to reduce the payment. That is one of your options: you can borrow more and sit on more of your cash.”
Johnson said the project is expensive but will serve the city’s needs for decades to come. He mentioned U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff secured $500,000 from the federal government to construct a previously unfunded Norcross Real-Time Crime Center, or centralized technology hub.
“This gives us cash,” Johnson said. “We’re at the point where we’re spending about $1.5 million to $2 million a month.”
Open house/tours suggested
With a generator on site and the building taking its shape, Council Member Matt Myers said he wants to schedule an open house at the new public safety building sometime in July or August.
“Prior to completion, it might be a good opportunity to showcase it to our community,” Myers said. “Maybe we do ‘cookout with council’ in the parking lot of our new building.”
While Mayor Craig Newton was absent from the March 2 meeting, other elected officials chimed in with their support.
Council Member Bruce Gaynor, serving as mayor in Newton’s absence, asked the city manager to schedule a hard-hat tour of the facility for elected officials before the end of April.
“Can we have an update on what’s been spent?” Gaynor said. “I don’t really think there’s any evidence we’re off the rails, but I think everybody would like to hear reassurance that we’re on the rails, and where the numbers line up, and where things stand.”
Finance Director Jon Robinson said a presentation is scheduled for the city council’s next policy work session on March 16.
