Jan. 15. By Dave Vieser. If planners have their say, there’s a good chance that the current Cornelius Police Dept. headquarters will be replaced in the near future. The issue has arisen as part of the ongoing downtown master plan study.
“What the planners are saying is that the current police station is too small for the growing department” said Planning Director Rox Burhans at the Planning Board meeting on Jan. 13.
Rox Burhans
The building on Catawba Avenue was completed in 2002.
Alternative sites
There’s also a question of whether the headquarters is in the right segment of town. “Perhaps it should be relocated to a spot west of the interstate,” he said.
If it was to be moved, that would open up a key piece of land in downtown Cornelius.
Context
Replacing police headquarters would follow the lead of adjoining police departments.
Huntersville expanded and relocated their police headquarters in 2012, while also moving it from downtown to west of the interstate. Davidson Police renovated and took over the Town Hall structure on Main Street in February of last year.
Town officials seem to be preparing for a possible relocation.
Quotable
Andrew Grant
“The existing Police Station was constructed at a time when the population of Cornelius was approximately 14,000, and the Cornelius Police Dept. staff was significantly smaller” said Town Manager Andrew Grant. “Since that time, due to community growth and the ever-evolving public safety service challenges and complexities, the police have outgrown the existing Police Station.”
Details
Grant said that the town will be discussing a potential facility needs assessment as part of the 2026 town budget so they can plan for providing adequate physical space for current and future needs. That may include construction of a new headquarters.
As to the precise location, planners and town officials may not be on the same page.
“The existing police station is appropriately located geographically to provide optimal public service,” said Grant.
He said any new location would have to conform with a similar geographic test.
Burhans said the planners are suggesting that the Police Headquarters building, being on the east side of town, may not be the best location overall based on where the calls for service come from—which might be the west side of Cornelius.
Who are these “planners” that seem to have all the answers? Do they pay taxes and live in Cornelius?
Posted by Susan C | January 15, 2025, 11:53 amYou’re right, Susan! When do we get answers to your questions or just ignored?
Posted by Disappointed | January 15, 2025, 5:47 pmThe Police Headquarters looks fine. The yellow building downtown needs to be painted.
Put a satellite police station on the west side.
Posted by MT | January 15, 2025, 2:08 pmExcellent suggestion!
Posted by Agree! | January 15, 2025, 5:41 pmThis is a great idea! I am sure there is an empty lot or building where this could be done.
Posted by ME | January 16, 2025, 11:12 pmThat’s thinking logically, MT, which apparently the Council cannot do. Having two locations allows for faster response time to citizens. It also provides visibility for the outreach programs in the community. Just be sure the next facility allows for significant growth of personnel, since I don’t think the town is going to be getting any smaller if ongoing building patterns teach us anything. Also, let the new facility have enough space for training facilities for the entire workforce. I think having two locations solves the dilemma perfectly for the growing needs of the town! It still keeps the proximity of the leadership and administrative functions close to the Town Hall. (Just watch, next year they will be saying the Town Hall needs to be relocated, thus completely killing any sense of small town in favor of a great real-estate needs!)
Posted by Mary | January 17, 2025, 9:42 amAdd to current station. Seems excessive. Why they did not plan for growth is a metephor of the leadership in Cornelius. Once again we need to question the policy of consultancy before a project is approved.
Posted by TC | January 15, 2025, 4:05 pmJust incredible,, gonna replace the new police station with another new police station,, it’s like when they widen Catawba Avenue and then came back a few years later and said oh let’s put in four lanes,, is any of these planers in Cornelius held accountable for their mistakes that are costly to us taxpayers.. not gonna mention the bridge and of course the toll roads🤔
Posted by Tom Brown | January 15, 2025, 4:24 pmWe have a nice big space on Catawba and Nantz where the gas station/car wash pulled out. C’mon over! Would be great to have the police officers here.
Posted by Betty | January 15, 2025, 4:39 pmGreat analogy, TC! Welcome to Cornelius and all of the poor decisions made over the last 10-15 years!
Very sad and we have to live with it!
Posted by Agree | January 15, 2025, 5:44 pmGrowth of Cornelius is a positive sign that we live in an innovative and thriving community. Growth also increases the demand for public services, and public safety always ranks as the top priority for local government. While it’s easy to vilify the frustrations that accompany growth and change, the alternative is living in a declining area where services need to be cut due to declining revenue. Leaders, past and present, work within constraints (money, demand, availability of land, etc) to provide outstanding services at that time. I assume no one desires a reduction in public safety amid an increasing population. Proper planning is crucial and future projections for growth and demand always accompany proposed projects. Please reach out directly (704-301-4441), I would love to hear creative or innovative solutions that haven’t been vetted by city planners.
Posted by Todd Sansbury-Town Commissioner | January 16, 2025, 12:52 pmWhen did Cornelius police start dispatching police cars from the police station. Are the cars not on patrol through out the city at all times????
Posted by Randy | January 17, 2025, 2:04 pm