For years, it's been on Osseo's wish list to have a new police station to replace the cramped, deteriorating 51-year-old house that had been meant to be only a temporary police base.

Now, nearly 20 years later, the city is finally nearing a decision this month about relocating the police station by this summer to a much safer and up-to-date building.

"It's been needed for some time," City Administrator Doug Reeder said.

On Dec. 16, the city's Economic Development Authority is expected to review two sites the city could buy and renovate. One, the former Main Street Pharmacy at 24 3rd St. NE., could be bought for $400,000 and the 4,200-square-foot space could be renovated for an estimated $448,000 — keeping the project under the city's $1 million budget. The other site, an office and jewelry store nearby, doesn't yet have cost estimates.

Either way, the police department is likely to have at least double the space in its new home.

The department's staff of 20, which includes five full-time police officers, has worked out of the abandoned house built in 1962 despite a moldy basement where the officers have lockers and an entrance absent of the usual secure, bulletproof glass in police stations. Storage is crammed into the home's attic, and desks make up a makeshift office in the living room.

"It's in terrible shape," Reeder said.

It was meant to be a temporary space, but the cost to build a new station was too expensive for the small city. Finally this year, with several commercial buildings up for grabs, the cost to renovate an existing building became much more cost-effective. The city has explored half a dozen options, from a dance studio to space in the new Five Central apartment building. But the low cost and quick turnaround to buy and renovate the spaces has narrowed the search down to the two sites.

"The council and staff have really done their homework," City Planner Riley Grams said.

If the Economic Development Authority approves the purchase in December and architect plans soon after, construction could start immediately and finish by this summer. As for the house — it will be torn down and paved for additional city parking.

Kelly Smith • 612-673-4141 Twitter: @kellystrib