Law Enforcement Center on Schedule

Work on the downtown "Law Enforcement Center" is moving along smoothly, and police should be able to move in sometime in October.

The project is also "well within budget," said Town Manager Steve Biggs.

"It is progressing very well," he said.

The 19,000-sq.ft. brick building will feature lots of glass and high quality metal trim made of zinc. It's energy-efficient design makes extensive use of natural light and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

Town officials are planning a large open house and maybe some smaller community-involvement events near the time of the opening.

A model of the complex is available for viewing at the Clayton Center.  

The new building will also include a memorial honoring the three local police officers who have died in the line of duty over the years--a larger-than-life officer exiting the Center on the exterior, Second Street side of the building, with the same shape in relief as a void, symbolizing loss, on the interior. The memorial, to be made of North Carolina slate, will include the names of the three fallen officers--Monica W. Carey, William R. Gilmore and Charles H. Lee--directly beside the inset shape.

After years of planning, town officials decided to move ahead with the project last year after a report from Biggs that the town's highly regarded police force--which two years ago became one of the few law enforcement agencies in the country to earn full accreditation--was "bursting at the seams" in their old 5,000-sq.ft building. The timing was also right financially, as a slowdown in the economy facilitated very favorable financing terms and bid costs substantially below original project cost estimates.

Town officials have been working over the last few years to strengthen the police department, adding programs and capabilities as well as encouraging officers to obtain advanced training. As a result, the town has what Biggs described as "a first-rate" police department.

Police are currently working out of a temporary headquarters at 9933 US 70W Business.