Moving toward new police HQ

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A potentially huge step toward not only replacing the city’s public safety building but also redefining the Civic Center area goes before the Garden Grove City Council when it meets on Tuesday.

The council will receive a report that contains a financial analysis summary for a new building for police and fire operations and amendments to agreements with designers and planners totaling $1.2 million.

Located on Acacia Parkway east of Euclid Street, the current public safety building was built in the early 1970s and not only lacks sufficient parking and office space, but also a sprinkler system and compliance with modern building codes and the Americans with Disability Act.

In addition to providing up-to-date facilities for first responders, the changes would likely alter the location and perhaps size of open space in the Civic Center. The Civic Center Park, with its ponds, waterfalls, monuments and art, is in the area envisioned for the new building, and new parkland east of the site of the existing public safety structure is also a possibility.

A remake of the entire area could also lead to the construction of affordable housing on the side facing 8th Street.

As envisioned, the project would cost around $108 million to build.

Also on Tuesday night, an update on the city’s planned Navigation Center for the unsheltered will be presented.

The council will meet in the Community Meeting Center at 11300 Stanford Ave. at 6:30 p.m.