STACHOWSKI DELIVERS $700,000 FOR NEW POLICE & COURT BUILDINGApril 23, 2010 |
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STACHOWSKI DELIVERS $700,000 FOR NEW POLICE & COURT BUILDING
State funds will be used to rehabilitate, expand forty year old structure
NYS Senator Bill Stachowski joined today with Cheektowaga Supervisor Mary Holtz, Chief of Police Christine Ziemba, members of the Town Board, and the town's two Justices to announce the awarding of a state grant in the amount of $700,000 to be used for the planned renovation and expansion of the police and court facility located at 3223 Union Road. The funds for the project were contained in the 2009-2010 state budget.
"Last year I was very fortunate to secure these funds to help Supervisor Holtz and Chief Ziemba with this ambitious project" Stachowski said. " I'm proud of the fact that I was able to bring a grant of this magnitude back to Cheektowaga, where it will be used to defray the cost of the police and court building improvements."
The existing facility was constructed back in 1966, and since that time extensive programmatic, functional, and operational changes have taken place causing the police and courts to outgrow the footprint of the building. It currently consists of 17,000 square feet which will be redeveloped to meet the programmatic requirements for the Police Department. An addition consisting of approximately 26,500 square feet will be added to the southeast portion of the building, providing necessary space for the relocated Justice Court and common areas to be shared by the Police and Justice Court. Site work will include development and expanded parking lots and storm water management facilities.
Supervisor Holtz added that “The expansion and renovation of our police and court building is a much needed project which has the support of the community and the $700,000 grant that Senator Bill Stachowski has secured for us will be a tremendous help in bringing it to fruition.”
Chief of Police Christine Ziemba said “The police department is very excited over the prospect of an enlarged and improved facility to operate from. It will allow us to utilize our equipment and manage our resources in a much more efficient manner; in addition to providing our employees with a clean, safe environment in which to work. We are very appreciative of the efforts Senator Stachowski has made to assist with this project and move us that much closer to making it a reality.”
The town has engaged Trautman Associates to prepare the construction documents for the project, which carries an anticipated total cost of $15.4 million. Hearings and discussions have been held with local taxpayer groups in past years, with most residents expressing concern with the cost of the project and the effect it would have on their property taxes. "Although this is a big project which will require a long term financial commitment, I feel very good that Cheektowaga taxpayers will not have to shoulder the entire burden of this expansion" the Senator added. "In Albany, tenure carries a good deal of weight when it comes to allocating resources. This is a good example how my seniority allows me to deliver for the residents of the 58th Senate district."
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