Waukesha Police Building Gets Remodel

WAUKESHA, WI—The Waukesha Police Department addition and renovation is set to begin in early July. The contract was awarded to JP Cullen and Sons for the project, according to city documents.

The current station,1901 Delafield St., is 53,780 sq. ft. The addition will increase 27,120 sq. ft.

Sgt. Brad Anderson said one of the major driving issues that started the process was due to the building's age. A lot of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are located above the evidence room as the building ages so does the systems.

"Pipes burst and leak. You can't allow evidence to be destroyed. We have to hold evidence for years and years to keep people in jail," Anderson said.

The department looked into ways to fix the water issues in the evidence room. It became apparent, according to Anderson, that fix was too expensive.

"We just outgrown the building. It is far too small for all the employees we have now," he said.

Since 1991 the department has added 38 employees with no major expansions or upgrades to the current building. The remodel is intended to make the Police Department building a viable facility for the next 20-30 years, documents said.

The department also needed a new parking lot for its 60 car fleet, half of which are parked outside, Anderson said.

The cars also subjected to the weather elements such as the heat and snow. The new garage is going to be double in size.

"That should extend the life of most of our fleet for 2-5 years," he said.

The requested upgrades will:

• Improve operational efficiency throughout the organization.
• Safeguard criminal evidence.
• Improve the safety and security of department employees.
• Extend the lifecycle of department vehicles.
• Provide for future department staffing increases.
• Reduce facility equipment maintenance costs.
• Site work includes the original relocation of the eastern parking lot.
• Replacement of lift car bay to include oil cleanup, and expanded sally port vehicle bay.
• New furnishings and finishes throughout.

Anderson pointed out the retro carpeting in the building.

"We were clearly built in the '80s and early '90. We got the green and red color scheme that went out several decades ago," he said.

As of June 21, the Police Department Employees will be moved out of the building and relocated to the City Hall Annex and/or City Hall. They expect to be back to their police building by spring 2022.