Port Police Issues Bid for Property Demolition at Site of the District

In a major step towards making the Port Washington Police District’s new headquarters on Main Street a reality, the District is in the process of soliciting bids for a qualified contractor to demolish the existing structures located at 128 Main Street. Posted to its website on March 26, 2025, the District is accepting sealed bids from qualified contractors to safely and responsibly demolish the structures on the property and for the proper disposal of the construction and demolition debris.

“This is a very exciting step for the District. It represents the culmination of months of hard work by our team and is a major step in transforming this abandoned property into a much-needed community asset,” said Port Washington Police District Chairman JB Meyer. “We are working to formalize and secure contracts for this work. As promised, we will be keeping the community updated.”

More specifically, the demolition tasks will be done in two phases. The first phase will require some roadwork as the water and sewer service lines connecting from the street to the property need to be removed. The second phase will include the removal of the existing Knowles Funeral Home structure on Main Street as well as the six vacant homes abutting the property along Webster Avenue. After all of the demolition is completed and the site is free of debris, additional site work will be able to commence. Once the timeline plans for this work are set, the community, especially those in close proximity to the property, will be notified of expected work and its details in advance of it occurring.

Back in December of 2024, the District awarded a construction manager contract to VRD Contracting. This qualified and vetted firm will be responsible for overseeing every aspect of the construction process to ensure the project tasks are completed and carried out on time and on budget. Moreover, the construction manager will ensure a constant stream of information flows to the District’s leadership so any potential issues or needed changes can be discussed in a timely fashion to keep the project on target.

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to attend the District’s bi-monthly meetings where all key decisions made about the project occur. To find the meeting schedule or to sign up for meeting notifications, Port Washington residents are encouraged to visit the District’s newly revamped website at portwashingtonpd.ny.gov.

More About the Project

The current police headquarters has reached the end of its useful life. Originally built in 1958 to accommodate 35 officers and staff, the facility has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years-with a third-party study being completed in the 1990s determining a new facility was needed. The District currently has a workforce of 80, including uniformed officers and support staff, who are crammed into spaces designed for less than half as many individuals. The original headquarters was also not designed anticipating the technology and electrical needs of a modem facility nor was it designed to be ADA compliant.

The new headquarters is being specifically designed to ensure it is as green and sustainable as possible, with the potential to become a LEED certified structure. Aside from providing adequate spaces for officers and staff, the new facility will also feature a much-needed multi-purpose room, which will be used to host District meetings, trainings and community meetings for small­ to mid-sized gatherings. Parking and vehicle storage has been a perennial issue with the existing facility. The new facility will boast ample space for headquarters parking as well as the storage of District vehicles and equipment.

For more information about the Port Washington Police District and the plans to build a new headquarters in the community, please visit portwashingtonpd.ny.gov/new-pwpd-hq/. Residents who have questions about this project or are interested in taking a tour of the existing headquarters to see the need for a new facility themselves are encouraged to contact newhq@pwpd.ny.gov.