PEABODY — The finalized schematic design of the city’s proposed public-safety building was unveiled at a community meeting Wednesday. Residents and city officials gathered at the Higgins Middle School auditorium to hear Tecton Architects Principal and Public Safety Director Jeff McElravy break down the proposed complex’s intricacies.
The new facility is set to be constructed adjacent to the existing police station and a stone’s throw from the middle school. It would house the entire Police Department, the Fire Department’s administration, and the city’s emergency management. However, no fire operations would be conducted from the new complex. The facility is expected to be ready by spring 2026.
Schematic-design development is just one of many steps in the process before construction would begin.
“The end of this week, we are sending out to the estimator our schematic design and then we’ll establish the overall project budget from there,” McElravy said. “We are about 15% of the way through the entire project, but probably about 30% of the way through the design before we are able to go to bid.”
After the presentation concluded, attendees were able to provide their feedback. Ed Charest, a former School Committee member and city councilor, shared a concern that was echoed by others in attendance: the project’s location.
“My concern is taking the parking lot and the land there now,” Charest said. “It was stated that it wasn’t used much, maybe 1% of the time, which is totally incorrect… The sports teams that play utilize those parking spots. When parents pick up their kids after school, there are 45 cars parked there to pick up their kids.”
During the presentation, Tecton Associate Project Manager Matt Salad reviewed five different renderings of the facility and explained why he feels the newest one is best for parking and traffic efficiency.
“We’ve sort of abandoned any connection from this project to King Street itself,” Salad said. “Essentially, the circulation patterns for Higgins Middle School stay completely isolated as they are now… so this can function during school hours completely as a one-way and won’t be impacted by any police traffic.”
Salad added that he expects an increase in parking spaces at the site. The total number of public parking spaces is slated to increase from 153 to 176. Police are expected to get an additional 39 spaces, with the total amount going from 95 to 134.
Salad’s final logistical point was that the public-safety building is expected to be 7 feet shorter than the middle school.
“It won’t overpower it, it won’t stand above it, it will actually be a half-story below it,” Salad said.
The five major building materials that would make up the station are stone, brick, metal, screen, and glass. McElravy explained that it is important for him that the building has a streamlined directory and welcoming feel.
“We want to make it easy for the community to interact with the Police Department,” McElravy said. “So we can take that little bit of nervousness and reduce it a little bit by providing clarity.”
After the presentation, City Councilor-at-Large Jon Turco inquired about whether or not a vehicle maintenance bay in the design. McElravy explained that there will be one for police vehicles, but not fire trucks.
Ward 5 City Councilor Dave Gamache echoed Charest’s sentiment that the location is not suitable, but recommended the location he believes the station should have been designed for in the first place.
“I believe that one of the better sites would be located on Washington Street, the Rousselot property that’s located opposite of Colfax,” Gamache said. “My concept would be simple. You put a police, public safety, and a firehouse on that property on Washington Street. Do it all at once… put everything together.”
McElravy noted that most of the criticisms of the location are “above his pay grade,” but said he took them into account and will consult the city.
