Fort Collins — Chief Dennis Harrison is so proud of Fort Collins Police Services’ new high-tech building he’s spreading the word himself.
The chief led a tour of the $33 million project this morning for members of the media, and public tours are set Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s not just about the police department, it’s about the entire community,” Harrison said as he zigzagged the group through the 98,000-square-foot building located at 2221 Timberline Rd.
Police wanted a “state-of-the-art” facility that was also more welcoming to the public, Harrison said. The new building will house a 1,900-square-foot community room, a police museum, enhanced crime laboratory and an eight-cell detention center.
“Take a look at the current facilities,” he said. “You’ll be appalled after you look at this.”
So what’s the chief going to miss the most about the current building he’s spent his entire Fort Collins Police Services career in?
“Not a damn thing,” he said.
Although, he said, there were certain advantages to the cramped building he’ll be in until they move into the new one in late August.
For one thing, it was right next to the City Council building, and it was about a block away from the city’s historic Old Town, where most action occurred.
But the new building is miles closer to Interstate 25.
The new building was a long time coming, Harrison said. One employee was told on his first day on the force about 30 years ago that a new police building was on its way.
“Having to pay for it,” the chief said, “was without a doubt the biggest hurdle.”
Staff writer Vimal Patel can be reached at 303-954-1638 or vpatel@denverpost.com.
