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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
Mayor Roger J. Reinert
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 2/8/2012
SUBJECT: Duluth Police Headquarters Grand Opening
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator

 

Duluth Police Headquarters Grand Opening
 
[Duluth, MN] - Mayor Don Ness, Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, St. Louis County Commissioner Keith Nelson, and Under Sheriff Dave Phillips officially opened the new Public Safety Building today that will house the Duluth Police headquarters with other city and county officials in attendance. The new headquarters connects to the current St. Louis County Public Safety Building.
 
The police headquarters in Duluth City Hall proved inadequate over the years as the police force evolved to need additional space to store and process evidence and records, interview suspects, meet with victims, and have adequate space for staff. In 2009, the City Council approved a $17 million bond for the new police facility. The construction started in fall of 2010 and is now ready for occupation in the upcoming weeks.  
 
 “We are grateful for the support of the community, the City Council, and St. Louis County. This facility serves as a great example of a successful city and county partnership. Not Only will we be able to work more efficiently and effectively with our new tools but it will strengthen our community relationships and partnerships. We remain committed to providing the best quality services and look forward to doing so with a newfound sense of pride,” said Police Chief Gordon Ramsay.
 
The City of Duluth and St. Louis County looked to co-locate the new police headquarters to provide efficiency through shared spaces rather than duplicating spaces. The new building is linked to the county’s building at two locations. The existing building was constructed in 2007 and houses 911 administration, the call center and the Sheriff’s office and support space, including the adjacent “Tech Garage” housing County radio installation and repair functions. The facility has critical shared space for such things as a lobby area, training & conferences, a community meeting room, turnout, interview & break rooms, fitness center, records, sally port, evidence and processing.
 
Duluth Police officers will maintain their presence at designated substations throughout the city. Parking violations will continue to be handled in City Hall or they can be paid by mail or online credit card transaction.

The City hired the design team of LHB, local Architect and Engineers of Record with Design Architect SRBL. RJS was the construction company.
 
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General Construction Information:
 
  •          Bond request was for $17 million but the final project costs are estimated at under $15 million.
  •          68,000 sf of new construction includes the Police Headquarters and expanded shared public entrance & training facility.
  •          Remodel of approximately 3,300 sf of existing building for shared Records area Lobby & Reception.
  •          Total size of combined City & County facility will be 92,894 sf
  •          Building has 2 floor levels
  •          Building design incorporates current technology for communications and police security systems. 
 
Energy Efficient Design Elements:
 
The building uses recycled content, high efficiency heaters and boilers and was designed to take advantage of natural lighting. Rain gardens are installed as part of a comprehensive storm water management system and low maintenance landscaping was specifically chosen to treat storm water runoff.
 
 
Unique Design Elements:
 
The entry plaza will incorporate public art funded from the Municipal Art Fund. Artist Tom Christiansen, was commissioned by the Public Arts Commission to create and install a bronze sculpture titled “Cooperation, Safety, Honor” which depicts a female deputy and a male officer in the entry plaza of the building. Installation is planned for the end of May. The sculpture costs $142,000. The artist has forty years of experience in metal art work and owns a gallery in Lutsen.
 
Additional artwork is planned to adorn the walls of the new facility.
 
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