By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Like many companies have dealt with, the City of Great Bend has experienced a few delivery delays in the construction of the new police station and municipal court building at the intersection of 12th Street and Baker Avenue.
The delays will push back the move-in date and open house a few days, but City Administrator Brandon Anderson said the police department staff is ready to make the transition.
"Our police department is anxious and excited to start moving, but we need to get this thing finished first," said Anderson. "The transition will a pretty large task once it gets done. One of the biggest tasks is the transitioning the evidence room. I know they're putting together a plan to get that done."
The current police station on Williams Street, built in the 1930s, is approximately 7,500 square feet. The Justice Center will jump the square footage up to 20,100.
In early August, the Great Bend City Council passed an ordinance to make Baker Avenue, in front of the police station from 11th Street to 12th Street, a northbound, one-way street.
"As soon as all the infrastructure gets put in at the police department, then we'll go in and resign that street," said Anderson. "We'll get people to comply with that. There will be parallel parking on both sides."
The Great Bend Police Department staff is hopeful to move in toward the end of September. Anderson noted the public open house has been moved to Oct. 5.