updating the new public safety facility; The weekly newsletter keeps citizens informed about the project

October 3, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer

The new public safety facility project at 135 King St. is moving forward, according to an update Deputy City Manager Michelle Leary shared with the board this week.

Voters voted at the city's special meeting last November and then at the ballot box to appropriate $10.4 million for a new police station/fire station addition. The expected opening date is 2026.

The project team recently contracted through a public bid process with Norwell-based P Three Inc. as owner's project manager (OPM) and Charlestown-based HKT Architects, Inc., which Leary said are “hitting the ground running.” “We have already seen great progress.”

An OPM works on behalf of the owner – in this case the city – to ensure that projects are built well, delivered on time and within budget.

“HKT works with the two bosses and Glenn Pratt [the director of the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency] to figure out the needs of the emergency management team,” Leary said.

A weekly newsletter is in the works to keep citizens updated on all aspects of the project. Information about registration will follow shortly.

“This will be critical to keeping the public informed,” Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley — who attended the update on Zoom — told the Cohasset Anchor in a phone call after the meeting.

Needs assessment is ongoing
Part of the process includes conducting a needs assessment of the current Elm Street police/fire headquarters and the new building, as well as a financial analysis of the project.

The Cohasset Fire Department's main building will remain at its current location, with additional space on King Street.

“The architect is currently working on the design and that will determine the final scope and cost of the project,” Quigley said.

The “big question,” he said, is: “Are we building this facility to meet our needs today, or are we building something that will last for 50 years?” This will also affect the final cost of the project. The OPM has extensive knowledge and keeps an eye on the budget.”

The project team is also closely monitoring the nationwide dock workers' strike that is currently underway. “That could really impact us – how we move forward with the project and what prices we pay,” Quigley said.

He also pointed out that the public construction process is bound by rules that do not apply to private construction projects — including the requirement to adhere to prevailing wage laws and other considerations — that drive up the costs of public projects.

State-of-the-art technology
What Quigley is most looking forward to is working in a new building that is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, adequate ventilation, has a cell block that passes the annual state inspection – which it currently does not – and much more dedicated space for meetings and other activities.

Additionally, Quigley said, a new police headquarters will take CPD to the next level and put the department in a better position to compete with surrounding cities – such as Scituate and Norwell with new public safety buildings and Hingham with a new one in the works – – in recruiting high-quality new police officers.

“The department is going through a period of change with numerous officers retiring,” he said. “A new building will not only allow us to comply with state regulations, but will also serve as a recruiting and retention tool.”

“The current building – built in 1962 – has served us well for nearly 60 years,” Quigley noted, “but policing has changed greatly since then.”

Observers of the condition of the Elm Street building have commented at various times that “it's one of the worst police stations they've seen in recent memory,” Quigley said.

During Tuesday's meeting, board member-elect Paul Grady said he was looking forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This project is well deserved and deserving.”