New Midtown police district likely to move forward

I know many of you are interested in the fate of the proposed Midtown police district station on Mineral Point Road, and I'm sure some of you are planning to come and testify at tonight's City Council public hearing on the 2016 budget to support the proposal.

While you are of course welcome to come and speak, I hope I can put your concerns (mostly) to rest. As of this moment the new station is in the budget, there is no proposed amendment to remove it, and there is strong support from the Council. This is thanks in large part to many individuals and neighborhoods who have expressed their support.

(The station was deleted in the Mayor's proposed budget, but added back in by the finance committee in September.)

Construction would begin next year and continue into 2017. New officers would begin training in 2017 toward an anticipated opening in early 2018. This schedule is a bit longer than I'd like, but given the time required for planning and construction, and the nearly $1M per year cost to operate the station once it's open, this is a compromise I can live with.

Thank you again for your support of this highly needed addition for our city.

Ald. Mark Clear

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I welcome your questions and comments about this or any other city issue. Please contact me at district19@cityofmadison.com or 608-695-5709.

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