Still No Word on Police HQ Information

Still waiting for a response from the Mayor on the memo sent to him about the Police HQ/ Memorial Town Hall project. I'm sending a follow-up memo today. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for Feedback on PD HQ

A quick thank you to everyone who has e-mailed or called over the last couple of days regarding your thoughts on the new Police HQ/Town Hall Renovation project. I appreciate your opinions and promise to keep you posted as we get more information. For those of you who don't have the information, I can be reached via e-mail at councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com.

Best Regards,

Curt

Hamden Police Headquarters Questions Sent to Mayor

This is a copy of a memo sent this week to the Mayor regarding our proposed Police HQ/Town Hall Renovation project. The goal of the memo is to get a discussion started about what options we can make to ensure that a project gets started this year if the full $40-$45 Million project doesn't have full support because of the ever growing price tag.

Please e-mail with your thoughts - councilmancurtleng@yahoo.com.

Legislative Council

Memo

TO: Mayor Craig Henrici

FROM: Curt Leng, Councilman, 6^th District;

Finance Committee Chairman

Jack Kennelly, Councilman-at-Large

Town Building Committee (Sub-Chairman)

John DeRosa, Councilman 8^th District

Town Building Committee Member

RE: New Police HQ/Memorial Town Hall Renovation Project

DATE: January 7, 2009

The new Police HQ/Memorial Town Hall Renovation Project, with $5 million Parking Garage, has grown in cost to an estimated $41.8 million project. The most recent estimates presented to the Town Building Committee was brought into question because several of the members considered the project sub-costs to be conservative which could drive the overall project north of $45 million.

We are concerned that a project with such a high price tag may not have the support of the Legislative Council when it comes time to request funding approval. This could risk the timetable set to get the project started this summer.

It is our understanding that a reduction of square footage has been requested and may result in some savings to the overall cost of the project. However, we are still looking at a $40+ million project.

As such, we respectfully request that you consider directing the

Project Team to develop more cost-effective alternatives, should

support for the project in its current form and cost not be there.

Alternatives would ensure that we get a project started this summer

in one form. Spending a small amount of the most recently

approved $1.2 million on alternatives would allow you to

maximize use of these funds.

We believe that there is real universal support for getting our

Police Department out of the inadequate and unhealthy

environment they currently reside in. Without preparing some

alternatives we would risk doing nothing in 2009 should the

current $40-45 million project not be approved. This is

unacceptable.

We hope you can support the preparation of project alternatives and/or project “phasing” options, including but not limited to:

(l) Cost estimates for a “stand alone” facility on-site;

(2) Cost estimates for potential elimination of the parking

garage with the alternative of site acquisition, additional

regular parking and related security.

(3) A plan for “phasing” the project in, with construction and

completion of the Police Department Headquarters

finishing first.

(4) Other alternatives that would ensure a new Police

Headquarters started in 2009.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. Working together we can ensure that Hamden has a shovel in the ground for this most worthwhile project in 2009.

cc: All Council Members

Town Building Committee Members

Police Chief Wydra

Scott Jackson, CAO