Why Does BPD Need a New Home?
The current Bloomington Police Department headquarters is no longer adequate to meet the needs of the department or the community. Key problems include:
- Too small for current or future operational needs
- Inadequate facilities to properly conduct police business
- Maxed-out power supply
- Flood damage with ongoing water infiltration
- A 50+ year-old structure that does not meet current ADA standards, public safety building design requirements, or basic user needs
Why Do We Need a New Plan?
The original public safety bond did not contain enough funding to cover all planned projects. Regardless of where BPD relocates, a new bond will be required. Key context:
- From the outset, Fire projects were acknowledged as more urgent.
- All Fire projects are now complete or underway, leaving approximately $1.5 million remaining in the bond.
- To produce a lower apparent renovation cost for Showers West, significant necessary items were removed from that estimate.
- Showers West is no longer considered a viable option.
- The city must identify a new home for BPD that is operationally sound, fiscally responsible, and provides a long-term (50-year) solution.
Status of the Public Safety Bond
| Project | Original Estimate (Jan 25, 2023) | Final Estimate | Costs to Date | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase of Showers West | $8,750,000 | $8,750,000 | $8,712,355 | 2023 |
| Renovation of Showers West | $14,750,000* | $14,600,000 | $140,000 (Fire Admin & Chiller) | November 29, 2024 |
| Rebuild Fire Station 1 | $5,500,000 | $5,400,000 | $5,534,666 | November 24, 2024 |
| Remodel Fire Station 3 | $2,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 (est.) | September 5, 2025 |
| Build Logistics & Training Center | $2,500,000 | $1,500,000** | $7,000,000 (est.)*** | December 31, 2025 |
| TOTAL | $34,000,000 | $33,250,000 | $25,387,021 | — |
| Projected Bond Balance: Bond Proceeds $27,292,880 − Project Expenses $25,387,021 − Showers West Design $973,846 − Bond Costs $141,725 + Interest Earnings $797,347 = $1,587,634 | ||||
* Significant items were removed from scope to lower this estimate.
** Estimate was reduced from original.
*** Scope was significantly expanded from original estimate.
Option 1: Showers West
Pros
- Central location connected to City Hall
- Property now owned by the City of Bloomington
- Design is complete
- Would not require relocating BPD during renovation
- On public transit
Cons
- Short-term solution only (5–10 years)
- Poor road access; proximity to B-Line Trail hinders emergency dispatch
- Inadequate parking for BPD fleet
- Historic wood-frame building not suitable for security needs
- Limited room for expansion
- Original budget inadequate
- Difficult to maintain CALEA Accreditation
- Not supported by the union
Scope Items Removed to Lower the Budget Estimate
The following items were removed from the Showers West renovation scope in order to produce a lower cost estimate. Restoring these items would significantly increase the actual cost:
- Controlled access and security systems
- All gun storage and pistol lockers
- All connections to Showers East
- Staff restrooms
- Emergency generators
- New ductwork
- Circulating pumps
- Solar system
- Site improvements
- Lockers and workbenches
- All workstations and writing stations
- All shelving (including high-density shelving for evidence and records)
- Large group training room
Option 2: Expand Current BPD Headquarters
Pros
- Central location
- Easy access to a main road for quick dispatch
- Adequate parking for BPD fleet
- Property owned by the City of Bloomington
- Currently in use, modified to current needs, and familiar to employees
Cons
- Requires purchase of additional property to expand horizontally
- Significant water damage and continuing water infiltration
- Electrical service at maximum capacity
- Not ADA-compliant; would require a complete gut renovation
- Requires costly relocation during renovation, with no suitable temporary space available
- New design plan needed
Option 3: 714 South Rogers Street (Recommended)
Pros
- Long-term solution (50-year lifespan)
- Central location
- Access to main roadways for fast emergency dispatch
- Adequate parking for the BPD fleet
- Vacant property already owned by the City of Bloomington
- Steel and concrete building structure
- Room for future expansion and/or co-location of services
- On public transit; close to but not adjacent to the B-Line Trail
- Supported by union leadership and police staff
Cons
- Interior demolition required
- Site must be brought up to current Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) standards
- Area is slightly more residential, though with a history of emergency services use
- New design plan needed
Estimated Timeline: If approved, the Rogers Street project is estimated to take approximately 18 months to complete.
Cost Comparison of All Three Options
| Cost Item | Showers West | Expand Current Building | 714 S. Rogers Street (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land Purchase | $8,750,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 (already city-owned) |
| Tenant Buyout | $500,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Renovation | $14,600,000* | $22,523,568 | $22,903,848 |
| Design, Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) | Included within renovation figures above | ||
| TOTAL ESTIMATED COST | $23,850,000 | $23,523,568 | $22,903,848 |
* The Showers West renovation estimate reflects a significantly reduced scope. Restoring removed items (security systems, emergency generators, restrooms, shelving, etc.) would substantially increase this figure.
Public Feedback Opportunity
The City of Bloomington invites community members to share questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the future location of the Bloomington Police Department headquarters.
Submissions may be anonymous, or you may choose to provide contact information if you would like a follow-up response from city staff.
Submit feedback via the online form at bton.in/j6EtZ (A QR code for this form was also displayed at the public meeting on January 27, 2025.)