Could Old FEC Become New Police Station?

The La Grange City Council met Monday night and discussed the possibility of converting the old Fayette Electric Cooperative Headquarters on N. Washington St. into a new police station.

The City purchased the property last year. For a time, City leaders pondered tearing down the headquarters building and turning the property into a downtown plaza to host events. At the meeting Monday night, Councilman Ken Taylor proposed a different plan to renovate the structure as a new police station.

The current police station on College St. suffers from serious mold issues. Back in July, the Council heard a presentation from the design firm Parkhill about various city facility improvements, including a new police station that could cost up to $14 million.

Taylor said he believes the FEC building could serve the needs of the police department at a much lower cost. Taylor said he recently visited the building with City Manager Jack Thompson and Mayor Jan Dockery.

“The main building just needs some minor repairs,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the building suffers from a roof leak that needs to be repaired. He said See FEC, back page the City could hire professionals to clean the air conditioning ducts and condensers. The building needs a deep cleaning as well, he said.

The $14 million proposal for a new police station called for a gym or workout space for officers. Taylor said one of the out-buildings at the FEC property could serve that purpose. In addition, he said the fenced-in area behind the main building could be used to store impounded vehicles.

The police department currently employs 14 staff. Taylor says FEC had 24 staff in the building when they occupied it. Accordingly, he said there would be space to temporarily accommodate City Hall staff if the City wished to undertake renovations at City Hall.

Police Chief David Gilbreath was not at the meeting. Taylor said he spoke with Gilbreath about the idea.

“He is in favor of what I’m asking, or at least suggesting,” Taylor said.

Several Council members expressed interest in Taylor’s idea.

“What Ken is suggesting could be done without a big architectural firm to turn it into a Taj Mahal or some of the kinds of pictures we saw for the suggestions of the police station,” said Councilwoman Pam Giese.

Giese raised liability and safety concerns about turning the property into a plaza, as initially proposed.

“I can’t get past the liability of trying to connect any kind of plaza to the downtown when you have to cross a railroad track,” she said.

Councilman Dylan Schlotterbeck also expressed interest in Taylor’s proposal.

“I agree with Ken because even before I was on the Council, I came to the Council and spoke and said that it was a good idea to utilize the building and not tear it down for a plaza,” Schlotterbeck said. “So I’m glad we’re taking some initiative to talk about it.”

Councilman Bryan Kerr said he would like to schedule a workshop meeting to discuss the idea further and get input from Chief Gilbreath.

“I’m definitely in favor of continuing to talk about it,” said Kerr. “I think we should explore all options on the table, in addition to economic development.”

Councilman Derek Smith said one of his constituents contacted him last week and recommended the same thing Taylor suggested.

“It would be a smart use of funds,” Smith said.

Mayor Dockery encouraged the other council member to visit the site as they continue to explore a future use for the property.

“We just have to figure out how to work together and make sure that we’re doing what’s best of the City of La Grange,” Dockery said.

City Manager Jack Thompson said he’s collecting estimates for roof repairs. He said staff would take steps to keep the building dry during the rain that’s expected to fall in coming days.

The agenda item at Monday’s meeting concerning the FEC building was for discussion only. Council did not take any action.