NEW FAIR HAVEN POLICE HQ, COMMUNITY CENTER NOW UNDERWAY
Fair Haven Council marks a major milestone, breaking ground on an $8.285 million project for Police Department, Community Center buildings. With hardhats on and a golden shovel on hand, Fair Haven Borough officials marked the beginning of construction of a new Police Department headquarters and Community Center at a groundbreaking Oct. 10. (Photo provided by Fair Haven Borough)
FAIR HAVEN, NJ — After more than a year of planning, open houses for the public and preparing bids, Fair Haven officials officially broke ground on a new Police Department headquarters and new Community Center on Tuesday.
"As we embark on the construction and renovation of important facilities in our town, this marks a moment of pride for our community," said Mayor Josh Halpern at the event.
He referred to years of consideration by past Borough Councils of how best to provide modern police facilities, now housed in a distinctive - but 1920s-era - building on Fisk Street, the former Fisk Street School. You can read some history about the Police Department here.
Councilman Drew LaBarbera was the liaison to the Borough Council in this latest - and pared down - version of the project, with a bid of $8.285 million accepted.
Previous plans, he said called for two stories and a basement and the cost was over $10 million. Past councils put a hold on that and never bid out the project, he added.
This year, the council focused on a plan that LaBarbera said meets all state Department of Corrections and National Association of Chiefs of Police law enforcement requirements, but can blend into its location in a residential Fair Haven neighborhood.
Bids for the Police Department/Community Center buildings were opened on Aug. 31, and the lowest bidder that met all requirements was Hall Building Corp. Farmingdale, for $8.285 million.
Borough Attorney Andrew Sobel and Borough Architect Eli Goldstein reviewed the bid submissions and recommended that a contract award for the base bid be made to Hall Building Corp., according to the council agenda. You can see all the bidders on the Sept. 18 special meeting agenda here.
LaBarbera said he is very confident with Hall, which was the third lowest bidder. The lowest bidder withdrew and the second lowest was disqualified.
LaBarbera said a recent project Hall did was for the Colts Neck Township Police Department. "They are very experienced," he said of the company.
The scope of this project, at $8.285 million, is a 19 percent savings over previous plans, providing "cost avoidance," as LaBarbera said.
He also said that now, well past COVID, supply chain issues are not as critical and bonding through the Monmouth County Improvement Authority had already been in hand, meaning that the interest rate is reasonable thanks to the larger borrowing power of the county.
LaBarbera said the Borough Council was unanimous in its approval of the bid and involved in every step of the way, both at meetings and at open houses for residents.
"I'm really appreciative of our residents and community and thank them for their trust in the council," LaBarbera said. "It's a partnership - and they are vital to the success of the project."
You can see all the facilities reports and renderings on the borough website here.
Preparing residents for construction
He and Councilwoman Kristen Hoey and Police Chief Joseph McGovern recently went door-to-door on Fisk Street, where residents are closest to the site, to explain the process and to assure them they they will listen to any concerns as construction begins. There is an 18-month schedule, LaBarbera said.
"There will be disruption - that's why the public was involved all along the way," he said.
And Mayor Halpern noted that the new facilities are "critical to the borough, and provide means of safety, security, and support."
Halpern provided some key points for residents:
- Contractor mobilization by Hall Building Corp. is now underway.
- The Police Department/Community Center projects are slated for completion in 18 months.
- The current Community Center is going to be closed for the duration of the project to ensure the utmost safety of our residences.
- The Borough and governing body have developed contingency meeting locations, to include Council Chambers, Knights of Columbus, and Board of Education spaces as viable alternatives. Bicentennial Hall will also be an alternate meeting space until Spring 2024.
- The borough will also maintain temporary bathrooms at Community Center Fields to coincide with sports and recreational activities.
- For safety, fences will be erected around the site.
Demolition and construction of the police headquarters will be phased so police can continue their operations at the site until the building is finished, LaBarbera said.
And making the right choices about color, roofing, landscaping and other design elements has been a big part of the planning. The goal of the design is to have the police headquarters and Community Center buildings blend into the neighborhood.
LaBarbera said that one design element residents seem particularly fond of are the distinctive globe lamps now at the entrance to the Police Department. Those are incorporated in the design with modern replacements, he has said.
In the borough's first presentation of studies about the police department in January, there were several problems identified to necessitate the project.
Experts reported the building has mold and design issues to address. There were other matters noted in the report, too, that require action, among others:
- Installing a locker room for women.
- Adhering to ADA Compliance Building Structure protocols.
- Items that are outdated and not up to the Department of Justice guidelines include the HVAC, camera system, interview room, weapons and equipment storage, dispatch room and more concerns.
The updated project now includes a new Community Center, as well, a separate building adjacent to the police headquarters. The square footage for the Police Department building is approximately 6,000 square feet; 1,800 square feet for the Community Center, according to previous updates.
Department of Public Works renovation updates
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works building is also going to get renovations, but will not require a new structure.
Bids are out on the project, to be received by Nov. 1. The borough has an internal number on that project cost but is not discussing it right now as bids are out.
Halpern informed residents in the statement that, for safety and to allow for improvements, the Recycling Center will be closed for the duration of its project once the contractor is awarded and mobilized.
The DPW team will work out of the Fair Haven Fields concession stand location, utilizing 13 parking spaces closest to the exit at Dartmouth Avenue, once the building is cleared out for work.
The operations will be mobile. The team has to be out of the building since it needs a new roof.
LaBarbera said landscaping at the Allen Street location includes plans for native trees and plantings to create a landscaped buffer.
The fence at DPW will remain until the footprint of the site is reduced and a new natural wood fence is erected, he said.
Halpern also addressed safety at the site for residents:
"We recognize the proximity of these projects to 3rd Street and will work closely with all contractors to ensure the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. To further guard against the unexpected, we will implement additional monitors and patrols to ensure site safety, mitigate impacts to residents, and control deliveries of construction materials," Halpern said.
And he asked for community support in the following matters:
- Take time to educate our youngest family members regarding site safety. Although it may be tempting to observe, please avoid the construction sites, he said.
- Maximize use of your blue recycling can to its fullest by folding cardboard into the can.
- Styrofoam can be recycled at Middletown’s recycling center; it is available to all Monmouth County residents.
Halpern said residents can stay apprised of the project by signing up for The Buzz, to learn about the circulation of cars, pedestrians and bicycles.
Halpern urged that residents not hesitate to reach out to any member of the governing body or Borough offices at 732-747-0241.
"Our intention is to mitigate the impact of these projects on our daily lives equally, while ensuring that they are completed in a safe and transparent manner - on time and within budget," Halpern said.