Published: August 26, 2008 11:26 pm      

Ground broken for new Oak Hill police station

OAK HILL — City and state officials, along with engineers involved with the project, converged on a 4.5-acre plot of land on Virginia Street Tuesday to break ground for a new Oak Hill police station.

“Let’s do it,” City Manager Tom Oxley declared immediately following the ceremony.

Earlier, Oxley said building a new police station was on his mind when he left town in 1998 before returning in 2003. “We saw this property and thought, ‘Why not?’ This will not be a good but a great police station. Let’s carry on.”

Mayor Bill Hannabass described Tuesday as a “really good day” for the city, commending “a lot of hard work” and “proper management” on the part of those who toil on behalf of the endeavor.

“If you don’t look ahead, you don’t have projects like this. This station will better serve the people of Oak Hill,” Hannabass added as he praised Oxley, Police Chief Mike Whisman, city treasurer Damita Johnson and members of city council. Whisman thanked everyone who has been, and continues to be, a part of the project.

Speaking on behalf of the entire 29th District of the state House of Delegates, Delegate David Perry, D-Fayette, said he was committed to helping the city in any way he can to bring the new “first-class facility” to fruition.

John Tuggle, president of Pentree engineering, recalled he had done work for many years for the city. “I’ve seen these guys (Oak Hill police officers) cooped up there for a long time. I’m glad to be part of it (the new station),” he asserted.

“This is such a wonderful community, and there are so many people to be thankful for,” council member Anna Lou Holt said with a beaming smile.

“I like going forward. It’s truly a wonderful thing. I’m very proud,” council member Diana Janney added.

“I’m happy to be a part of it,” said council member Fred Dickinson, a longtime law enforcement officer and former Oak Hill police chief.

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Council members officially transferred land for a new police station to the city building commission last Thursday.

The land, purchased for $269,000, will eventually be leased back to the city after the building commission receives a deed of trust from the associated bonds.

City officials say the new station will give the police department a little more breathing room than the current office in city hall on Kelly Avenue. The new facility will offer easier access to calls on U.S. 19 and in town, and it will present a safer, more stable environment for officers, the public and prisoners.

The city has borrowed $1.25 million to pay for the project. BB&T will purchase lease revenue bonds for that amount, for which the city will be responsible at a 4.31 percent fixed rate over a 20-year period. The city is facing a monthly payment of $7,780.49.

Oxley said Thursday the city budgeted $75,000 in its most recent budget cycle and will continue to do so in coming years to meet debt service of $1 million. The rest of the money will come from the police department’s equipment fund.

A bid to build the station has been awarded to Flint Construction of Gassaway. The cost is not to exceed $1.3 million, but the final figure will be reduced by a change order once the contracts are signed, keeping it under the amount of the loan, Oxley said.

Oxley estimated construction completion by next February or March, depending on the weather.

— E-mail: mhill@register-herald.com