Future Police Department facility site selection
Summary
After six years and 22 sites studied, staff recommends building the new police station on city-owned land at the Dakota Bank Center or the WES property near Target. It avoids buying land and keeps the project around $25 million with only a $6.5 million bond. Council wants public feedback before picking a spot.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Apr 28, 2026.
Impact analysis
$25 million total project; only about $6.5 million needs bonding since the council has already saved $18.5 million.
Residents get a modern, welcoming police station sized for 40-50 years of growth, with officers already patrolling in beats so response times stay fast regardless of location.
If the WES or marketplace properties are used, some land reserved for future commercial development and retail-generated sales tax could be lost.
Mentions & discussions (3)
City Council — April 28, 2026
The council started the process of committing $13.4 million it has already saved toward a new police station at the southeast corner of the Dakota Bank Center lot. It's part of roughly $19 million set aside for public safety facilities, with the fire station project handled separately. Final approval comes May 12.
City Council — January 27, 2026
After six years and 22 candidate sites, the city is building the new police department on the Dacotah Bank Center property east of I-29. $18.5 million is already set aside; design runs through fall 2026, construction starts in 2027, and a downtown satellite office will be at the fire station.
City Council — January 20, 2026
After six years and 22 sites studied, staff recommends building the new police station on city-owned land at the Dakota Bank Center or the WES property near Target. It avoids buying land and keeps the project around $25 million with only a $6.5 million bond. Council wants public feedback before picking a spot.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Brookings
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.