Robert W. Szala, Police Chief
249 Russells Mills Road
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Dartmouth Police Announce Progress Toward New Police Station
DARTMOUTH — Plans for the new Dartmouth Police Station are currently underway.
The police department signed a contract with The Carell Group (TCG) on Oct. 21 to conduct a feasibility study for the new station. TCG thoroughly reviewed the department’s operations and staffing, as well as the current and future needs of the station and the projected growth of the town.
The Dartmouth Site Selection Committee (SSC) reviewed several sites. In response to the Request for Proposals, issued by the town, one private parcel proposal was considered for a location behind the Walmart property, on Route 6 and Cross Road.
The SSC also reviewed an available town-owned parcel where the abandoned Gidley School site, located at 1390 Tucker Road. A selection matrix was used to compare the two proposed parcels. The SSC unanimously agreed that 1390 Tucker Road was the most beneficial location for the new station. TCG’s design team is now in the process of evaluating the Tucker Road property. Evaluation of the site includes a topographical and boundary survey, existing conditions and structures verification, a utility study, review of zoning and regulatory issues and a views and exposure assessment.
An additional contract was signed with The Carell Group on Nov. 1 to prepare for bidding and to administer the hazardous material abatement and demolition of the former Gidley School. A partially completed building permit for the demolition of the school has been submitted to the Building Department to start the process. The design team met with the Historic Commission on Dec. 5, and an agreement was reached among commission members, Police Chief Robert Szala, and Town Administrator David Cressman to incorporate some portion of the Gidley School building into the new police station, which will create an architecturally prudent design for Dartmouth.
The site and building investigations are in progress and the bidding is expected to begin by Jan. 1. Demolition could begin in February or March.
The design team and project manager are working on finalizing the overall budget which will include the hard construction costs, along with development costs such as, equipment and furnishings, consultant fees, utility company fees and material testing. Design decisions are on track to be completed by the first week of January, and the draft of the study will follow in the early spring.
The goal of the project is to produce the town’s first standalone police station, at a reasonable cost, with room for growth. If approved and built, the police station is expected to serve the town’s needs for the most of the remaining century and beyond.
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Rich Pontes says
The sooner we can get you out of the modular units and in to a modern police station, the better.