Osseo is now considering building an addition to its City Hall to house the northwest suburb's police department.
The department has been located in a cramped, deteriorating 51-year-old house for nearly 20 years, so the city has considered buying and renovating space in four buildings in Osseo or constructing a stand-alone building next to City Hall for $1.5 million.
But because that new space would be outside the city's $1 million budget for the new police station, the City Council will instead discuss Monday a plan to build a 3,230-square-foot addition and remodel existing storage space in City Hall.
The cost for the addition, renovation and demolition of the old house is an estimated $808,000 to $1.1 million.
If the city approves this latest plan this month and a design and concept plan in February, construction could start in May.
The department's staff of 20, which includes five full-time police officers, could move into the new space by the end of September.
KELLY SMITH
@kellystrib
