After years and years of talk, Belleville is on its way to getting a new police headquarters building.
Monday night, city council had before it three site options, the Ben Bleecker site, a new building at the Veridian site, and expansion of the Neil Britton building at the Veridian site.
It chose the least expensive renovation of the Neil Britton building at just over $20 million.
Councillor Carr proposed an amendment to cut a $3 million garage.
Mayor Taso Christopher, chair of the Police Services board, called it great news.
TASO POLICE STN
Councillor Egerton Boyce argued for a new build at the Ben Bleecker site at a cost of $25 million. He argued that the police did not need to go into another old building and pointed out the fire department had three new buildings in the past year. He said firefighters weren’t “put in an old garage.”
Councillor Jack Miller pointed out the three new fire department buildings cost half of what the police station will cost and he said “frankly I want to get on with it.”
Council approved the site on a recorded vote of six to two with Councillors Boyce and Kelly McCaw voting against, Councillor Mitch Panciuk was absent.