Police, fire departments to gain training facility

by Jill Henry

SBJ Reporter

jhenry@sbj.net

Springeld's Planning and Zoning Commission Dec. 9 approved the acquisition of the L.E. Cox Modern Tractor Building, a 72,000-square-foot building on 2.4 acres, to house the new Regional Police/Fire Classroom Training Center. The request was presented during Springeld Planning and Zoning Commission's regular meeting in historic City Hall.

The purchase and renovation of the building at 440 E. Tampa St., owned by Ozark Motor and Supply Co., is one of the priority projects to be funded by the voter-approved level property tax. Equipment for the facility will be funded by a $1.4 million federal grant secured for Springeld by Sen. Christopher Bond.

The city anticipates beginning renovations in spring 2005, with a completion date of late 2006.

Assistant City Manager Bob Cumley said that the goal is to close on the property by Dec. 31. "We can't mention (the purchase price) yet because the contract hasn't been signed," Cumley said.

Built in 1920, the building would require renovations to create classrooms and a computer laboratory. Field training facilities for the police and re departments, such as a shooting or driving range, would not be included in the new facility. Additional locations outside of the core urban area are being pursued to improve eld-training facilities for the two departments.

The new facility would replace training facilities that city ofcials said are inadequate for the departments' needs. The Fire Department's current training facility is at a former sewage treatment plant. The Police Department's training is held at several sites, including a room in City Hall.