City settles on site for police substation

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 9:06 a.m.

For dozens of Metro Police officers reporting to work downtown, the day begins with a two-block walk from their cars to the substation.

It's a trek city officials are hoping to curb by building a new substation for Metro Police as part of a plan that would also free up space at the historic Fifth Street School, where they envision a cultural center.

The city has selected a 4.6-acre parcel at the corner of Bonanza Road and Ninth Street, formerly home of the Ninth Street Elementary School, for the new substation.

There has been talk for years about relocating Metro's downtown area command, but the city only recently selected the site. It is expected to break ground on the new substation by the end of the year.

Capt. Tom Lozich, head of downtown area command, says Metro has outgrown its substation at the Fifth Street School and must compete with other city employees for parking spaces.

"The main problem is parking, the same problem that anyone has downtown," Lozich said. "Definitely, a new building is very sought after by us."

Mayor Oscar Goodman has had plans to relocate the substation since he was elected, in order to convert the Fifth Street School into a civic, commercial, and residential complex.

The Ninth Street site currently houses offices for the Clark County School District, but the district plans to relocate by the end of the year, said Dusty Dickens, director of demographics, zoning and realty.

The land is owned by the district, but would be turned over to the city as part of a land-swapping deal, she said.

The city has set aside $3.5 million in its 2003 tentative budget, which begins July 1, to cover substation construction costs. Last week the council accepted a $748,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to be put toward the project.

Lesa Coder, the city's director of business development, said the city expects to demolish existing buildings and prepare the site for construction by fall.

Construction would take 18 months, with a 2004 opening.

Lozich said while the existing substation is centrally located, the new one will put officers closer to area neighborhoods.

"The new location will give a shot in the arm to that part of the community," he said. "It's as close as you can get to a neighborhood, and we're going to enjoy being a little closer to neighborhoods."

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