Two architects from a Kalamazoo firm s
howed up Thursday evening at the Wayland fire station to try to get public opinions about a new police station and renovated fire facility.
Plans are in the works for having the Wayland City Police move out of the building they now share with the fire department on West Superior Street and into a new facility on Reno Drive, to be shared with the Wayland post of the Michigan State Police. The idea comes from the fact both police agencies operate out of a building that no longer adequately serves their needs, and the fire department certainly could use the added space caused by its roommate moving out.
Wayland City Manager Mike Selden said the best plan is to move both police departments to a new facility on Reno Drive in the industrial park because the city already owns the parcel under consideration. He said another advantage would be for State Police because it’s near the U.S.-131 expressway, where that agency does a lot of its work.
State Police have been located in the tiny building on North Main Street since they opened up shop in 1956. State Reps. Bob Genetski and Ken Yonker both have publicly stated the quarters are far too small and no longer able to handle operations.
Architects Mary Whitaker Duncan and Steve Hasevoort from Inform Architecture solicited opinions from the fewer than 20 people who showed up for the public meeting.
“We want to get a loose feel for for what the people of the community are thinking,” Hasevoort said.
Those who attended indicated a preference for a building that is green, sustainable, low maintenance, cost effective and including indoor parking bays. They also expressed support for a kitchen, a meeting area, training area and fitness center.
The second half of the public meeting was devoted to plans for renovating a fire department that would suddenly be the beneficiary of added space.
Duncan said, “We’re starting a master plan study with a visioning session to identify project goals” for a remodeled fire station.
Identified as top priorities were a kitchen area, more area for storage of equipment, lockers, a training area, a meeting area and more room for technology.
There was a higher preference for making the building more historic in its appearance, perhaps sporting a look similar to that of the Henika District Library and City Hall.
After gathering input, Hasevoort told the group, “We will take this information, tally it and see what comes up most often, then meet with a building committee. Then we’ll be back to meet with the City Council and the community.”
PHOTO: Michigan State Police troopers Rick Padzer and Pat Boyd listen with Wayland Police Chief Steve Harper to the presentation on a proposed new police facility by two Kalamazoo architects.
