Groundbreaking for police headquarters expansion

COEUR d'ALENE — A groundbreaking for the expansion and remodeling of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department headquarters, 3818 N. Schreiber Way, is scheduled 1 p.m. April 17.

The estimated $6.1 million project is being paid for paid with $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, $478,124 in impact fees and $1,164,188 from the general fund. 

The expansion will increase the available workspace for police personnel, including locker rooms, rest rooms and offices.

A drive exit on the north side of the property will be added for better traffic flow in and out of the police department.

Police Chief Lee White previously told the City Council that the original police station was built in 1999 and there were only 75 staff members, but now the police force has grown to 121.

He said the restroom facilities were inadequate, three squads don’t have their own workspace, eight patrol sergeants share one office that has only six desks but the space is only for four.

The council previously unanimously agreed to purchase 1.6 acres just north of the police station on Schreiber Way for nearly $1.2 million for the expansion. The purchase of the vacant land will allow the police department to remain as a single facility without the need for two separate sites, a city report said.