New SPD precinct would be most expensive in U.S.

SEATTLE — If a new, state-of-the-art Seattle police precinct is built, it will be the most expensive police precinct building in America.

The $160.2 million earthquake-proof building would be located at Aurora Avenue North and North 130th Street and would occupy two city blocks.

The building would replace the old facility that is 30 blocks to the south. The 13-story building was built 14 years ago and cost half of what the new precinct would cost to build.

The new precinct would house a firing range, which the Seattle Police Department does not currently have, and will have a community room big enough to hold farmer's markets or public concerts.

“We’re not building a fortress to divide the police from the community. We’re just building a building that’s an essential public building that will withstand an earthquake,” said Seattle police Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

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O’Toole says the building is sorely needed, because they've run out of space long ago in the precinct they use now.

But some who attended a City Council meeting are calling the price tag outrageous and say it should go to other priorities.

Jodi Grange is among several loudly criticizing the plans for being out of place with city priorities.

“If you look at how many people in Seattle do not have housing, how many people are hungry, including children,” said Grange.

But O'Toole said officers are taking six times more training courses than they did a few years ago and for that reason alone they need a large facility.

“We’re the only major police department in this country, that I’m aware of, that doesn’t have a training facility,” said O’Toole.

But Grange says she'll lead a resistance against it.

“Let’s get some priorities out there and say, ‘OK, $160 million! What should be do with it?’ And I bet you this thing would not come at the top of most people’s lists,” said Grange.

The city is considering selling its parking lots to pay for the precinct.

Cox Media Group