Cohasset officials revealed designs Tuesday for a new public safety complex that would transform 135 King Street into a combined police station and fire substation, marking a significant step forward for the long-awaited project.
The proposal, which will go before voters at the May 12th annual town meeting, aims to address serious deficiencies in the current public safety building, where less than $2.5 million has been spent on improvements over the past 64 years.
"There's been a lot of work that's gone into this," said Assistant Town Manager Michelle Leary. "The designer that we chose... they're fabulous. They're taking all of our comments and suggestions. They understand this has to be a cost effective approach to building."
The project team has completed several critical preparatory steps since September, including:
Hiring a project manager and architects
Conducting code compliance reviews
Completing structural engineering assessments
Testing soil conditions, which showed no contamination
Initiating civil engineering work for permitting
Unlike other communities that often demolish existing structures, Cohasset's approach focuses on utilizing the current building. "There's a lot of talk in other towns... purchased the building, you tear it down and then you build what you want," Leary explained. "They're really working with the framework that we set forth to make sure that we maximize the benefit of something that we already purchased."
The design places the fire department substation on the left side of the building and the police department on the right, with parking areas planned for the rear of the property. The project team conducted site visits to similar facilities in Scituate, Norwell, and Marshfield to gather insights for the design.
While exact costs weren't disclosed during Tuesday's presentation, officials aim to have firm bid prices available three weeks before the May town meeting for review by town committees.
The project addresses significant issues with the current facility on Elm Street, where issues include outdated detention facilities, electrical problems, and water infiltration in the basement. "There's substantial issues," Leary noted. "Not to mention, there's just not enough space there for both departments to coexist."
The development team is currently working through the permitting process with various town boards while preparing bid documents, maintaining their timeline for the May town meeting presentation.
"Our hope is to have bids in hand for annual town meeting," Leary said. "I don't think we'll have bids in hand to socialize with all the committees prior to town meeting. However, I think at least three weeks in advance of annual town meeting we'll be able to meet with committees and give the hard bid dog prices."