Township of Verona proposes creation of public safety complex
The proposed building would be located on Pompton Avenue. It would feature bays for each department, along with office areas, a police sally port and space for training.
Township of Verona officials are seeking to build an emergency services building that would house the police department, fire department and rescue squad all under one roof.
For more than 45 years, township officials have said their police department facilities are inadequate.
"It is very challenging. There is no separation for detainees or the public... We don't have adequate rooms for victims. We don't have adequate rooms for victims interview so were always just piecing things together to get by," said Verona Police Department Chief Chris Kiernan.
Now there are plans to improve conditions -- and not just for the police department.
The township is proposing to build an emergency services building on Pompton Avenue that would combine the police department, fire department and Rescue Squad all under one roof -- all of which are currently in separate buildings now.
"The police headquarters which are in the basement of the town hall, they've outgrown that for years. The firehouse number one on Bloomfield Avenue has no space and is falling apart. And their rescue building is in the same condition. It's just there, so old and so many band aids and patches they can't do anything with them," said Verona Township Manager Joseph D'Arco.
Township officials looked at over 20 properties before landing along Pompton avenue. They say once they take down both of the structures, the space doesn't just give them room to build, but to grow and expand services in the future.
"Everything is under one roof. You're not duplicating space that they would be putting in three buildings. It just makes a lot of sense," D'Arco said.
Solutions Architecture out of Verona is behind the design.
The new building would feature enough bays for each of the departments, office areas, a police sally port, holding cells, interview rooms and a gym and training space that all first responders can use.
"A lot of the things that were missing for all the departments are basic essentials that would be required for any facility in 2024," said Frank Messineo, the principal and founder of Solution Architecture.
Officials say a new building would increase workflow and efficenty for all.
A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Verona Community center where township officials and the project architect will present the plans to the public.
