TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Mayor Duke Bennett confirmed Monday plans to move the Terre Haute Police Department into the Tribune Star building are moving forward.
Previously, city officials had planned to build a new police department behind the current structure; however, they now believe moving to the Trib Star building will be a quicker and more affordable option.
The building will be approximately 10,000 square feet bigger than the previously planned design. It is only four blocks away from the current department, and it offers ample parking, Bennett noted.
At the end of the year, the Tribune Star will move to a new location. At that time, city officials hope to begin converting the structure into the new police department.
According to Bennett, Tax Increment Finance funds will be used for the project. He is working with an architect to take designs for a new building and fit them to the Tribune Star building.
Officials are currently waiting on an estimate of construction costs.
“As soon as we get that piece of information that we’re supposed to have by Christmas, we’ll be able to move this project forward,” Bennett said. “So that’s the last piece we need to make sure that everything fits the way we want it to within budget and on time. And then we can advance that through the governing bodies here to get it approved and get it done.”
Bennett said his goal is to have the Terre Haute Police Department moved in by June of 2020.
