SNOHOMISH — The city has been working jointly with Fire District 4 to pursue creating a public safety campus that places the Police Department, Fire Department and some city services all in one spot, the city announced late afternoon Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Property negotiations are underway for a few properties that have been evaluated for the campus, the city said in a press release.
It says this will solve how its facilities are scattered in multiple areas. It envisions the campus to hold emergency training rooms, the new City Council chambers, space for emergency coordination on public disasters and weather emergencies, and more.
Paying for it would involve both the city and Fire District 4. The city said the funding package is still being brainstormed, but could come from public debt bonds, state capital budget requests to legislators, low-interest loans and other sources.
“The infrastructure no longer meets the service needs of our growing community,” a city frequently asked questions list says.
The Police Department is a former bank at 230 Maple Ave. City Hall is a former Post Office at 116 Union Ave. City Council currently holds its meetings in the Carnegie Building, 105 Cedar Ave. Fire District 4’s headquarters on Avenue D dates to the 1980s.
Public works’ shop is along First Street. The city had discussed placing the shop near Three Lakes road. The city says, in its FAQ, that a feasibility study about that site is still being done and those discussions haven’t been discontinued.
