HomeMy WebLinkAboutComments Miscellaneous 7/9/2007 (2)
REC'O J U L coo 9 Z007
Steve Singleton
252 N. 65th St.
Springfield, OR 97478
July 5, 2007
Sprinfield City Council
225 5 Street
Springfield, OR 97477
Dear Mayor and City Council:
I am a resident of Springfield, Chairman of the Police Planning Task Force, and Vice-
Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Justice Center. I am writing to express
my support for closing the 300 Block ofa Street in support of the new Springfield Justice
Facility.
While there has been a small amount of public criticism of this plan, I believe that the
voters knew about the B Street closing when they voted in favor of the Bond Measure to
construct this facility in 2004. A lot of discussions were held then about available land
for a police facility. Many different plans were reviewed, as well as various designs, all
with the purpose of best utilizing the land available for the Justice Center. Ample
opportuIiity was given for the public, as well as those of us closely involved in the
process to be well informed as to all of the ramifications that each design and plan would
entail. City staff, the Council, and the public have had a lot of opportunities to offer ideas
for building this facility without closing the street. In the end, the cost factors and the
convenience for all of us in keeping the police in downtown Springfield led to the
decision to build across one city block.
To alter this plan win compromise many factors that surround the operation of the police
department and the safety of its employees:
. In case of an emergency, officers would have to navigate across a public street
to get to their vehicles, possibly endangering themselves and definitely
slowing down response times.
· If evacuation of the jail facility should ever be necessary, there would be no
secure, fenced-in area for officers to maintain control over prisoners, and
public safety.
. Closure of one city block would 'insure the security of important police
equipment, police and court records, specialized firearms, evidence and
Date Received: ~}~/.2PD7
Planner: AL
\
Springfield City Co,-~..:il
July 6, 2007
Page 2
property. To alter the current plan would put the ancillary building outside the
secure area; thus, raising important security issues.
r
. Closure would provide secure parking for police and employee vehicles,
which historically have been damaged from vandalism. It would also provide
a safe area for entering and exiting vehicles, especially in later hours.
. Closure would greatly improve the traffic and flow of daily operations in the
police department, jail, and courts. The convenience of this design will
enhance seamless service between all departments. This will undoubtedly
have an effect on man-hour efficiency and operations budget savings.
Closing the street for one block has been and is our best available option, though it does
come at the cost of some inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians. All in all, I have no
doubt that this plan is for the better good and benefit of not only downtown Springfield,
but to all of us, its citizens.
L
Datel Received: 7~~/2D07 .
Planner: AL