Fishers Mayor to propose $12 million police headquarters

FISHERS, Ind (WISH) – Growing population is putting a strain on the Fishers police headquarters, which is why the mayor wants to build a $12 million facility.

The details will be laid out this month, when Mayor Scott Fadness lays out his 2017 budget proposal. He recently gave councilors a preview of a near 75,000 square foot design. A proposal that has neighbors talking.

“I think $12 million dollars is a bit much for a police headquarters,” Fishers resident Stephan Hughes said. “I would think that there are better things that we could spend the money on for the community.”

“It’s a big number, but I’ve never had to build a three-story building that has all of the computer facilities,” Fishers resident Jason Zielonka said. “I’m assuming a local jail facility, and other things that a police department needs.

The facility would be built across the street from the current spot near Municipal Park. The headquarters was built in 1994.

30 officers worked there 22 years ago. 111 officers are expected to be working there in 2017.

In his preview, Mayor Fadness said a new headquarters will also fix a storage problem. Right now, the city pays $36,000 a year to keep police equipment in storage.

“We will need not just for crime, but general law enforcement supervision, we will need more police,” Zielonka said. “So yeah, that makes sense to me.”

“Fishers is growing,” Hughes said. “I do think we do need to expand the police headquarters, but I don’t know if a $12 million dollar facility is the right move for the city of Fishers.”

If approved, Mayor Fadness said a concept would be designed this fall, with a groundbreaking in November. He hopes to have it completed by fall of 2017.

As for the current site, other city departments, including IT, city court, permitting and inspections may use it.