Taunton finally breaks ground on new public safety complex. See what land looks like
TAUNTON — A year since the city approved a referendum to fund a new public safety complex for the police and fire departments, ground has officially broke on the site.
Walking down the pathway towards the back of 90 County St., attendees of the official groundbreaking on the morning of May 1, could already see the amount of tree and land clearing the lead contractor, CTA Construction, has done on the 40-plus-acre property since commencing on April 22.
Patrick Tompkins, co-owner of CTA Construction, said they hit the ground running in order to meet the estimated 20-month timeline for completion of the complex, meaning the public could expect a ribbon-cutting by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
Attendees for the groundbreaking included chiefs and staff from the Taunton Police and Fire departments, EMS staff from Brewster Ambulance, City Councilors and state officials.
Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said May 1 was officially her 1577th day in office, yet “this day for me is the most meaningful and impactful” for her because of the “forever-lasting” benefits this new complex will bring to the entire city, as well as police and fire.
She thanked the chiefs from Taunton Police and Fire for “making sure all the departments’ needs were met,” the City Council for unanimously supporting the project approved and the voters of Taunton, saying “it speaks volumes to how much they care about this community.”
What this means for public safety
The city’s dual public safety complex for police and fire will consist of three buildings — with the main building housing Police and Fire headquarters.
This complex will be addressing infrastructural and space deficiencies both departments have been facing for decades. Four of Taunton Fire’s buildings were built in the 1800's.
Meanwhile, headquarters for police on Summer Street was originally a supermarket in the 1950's, and wasn’t intended for public safety operations when police temporarily moved into the building in 2001. The station has dealt with building code, storage, flooding, HVAC, and even mold issues almost since the beginning.
The second building will be used for additional operations, as well as storage for both departments.
What both departments stated they desperately needed with this complex was training and classroom space, which was agreed on and incorporated into the site plan in both the main building and third building.
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'Well-deserved and about time'
Taunton Police Officer Joe Ryan, president of the Police Patrolmen’s Union, thanks thanked O'Connell and other elected officials for “their unwavering support, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
“Many have talked about a new building. She made it a reality,” Ryan said of O'Connell.
Fire Chief Steven Lavigne said department is excited to have its first modern headquarters since the original Central Station on School Street was built in 1869.
Retired Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw was present because he was heavily involved with pushing this project forward the last few years.
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“This is a big day for public safety in Taunton. This new facility will address all of what the current facilities lack,” Bradshaw said,
President of Taunton Firefighters Union Local 138 Tim O’Leary said the complex “is a symbol of the collective commitment to safety for this entire community. We are optimistic and excited for the future.”
Police Chief Edward Walsh summed it up: The Police Department “has had temporary facilities for 46 years. This is well-deserved and about time.”
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton holds groundbreaking for new police and fire headquarters
