New plans for police station unveiled
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Architect Matt Guarnery explains the latest plan for renovation of the Minot police station to the Minot City Council Monday, July 20.
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Council member Rob Fuller, center, speaks about the plans for police station renovation at a Minot City Council meeting at the station Monday, July 20. From left are council member Eric Locken, Mayor Mark Jantzer, Fuller, council members Scott Samuelson and Mike Blessum and City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim.
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Architect Matt Guarnery explains the latest plan for renovation of the Minot police station to the Minot City Council Monday, July 20.
JILL SCHRAMM/MDN Council member Rob Fuller, center, speaks about the plans for police station renovation at a Minot City Council meeting at the station Monday, July 20. From left are council member Eric Locken, Mayor Mark Jantzer, Fuller, council members Scott Samuelson and Mike Blessum and City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim.
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A $21.8 million, four-phase plan for Minot's police station is the latest proposal for turning a former city hall, police and fire building into suitable space for a law enforcement agency.
The Minot City Council met with Ackerman-Estvold Monday, July 20, to review the draft and talk about how it might be implemented and funded.
The new plan is an alternative to an original architect's proposal estimated at $46 million or more for renovation or up to $71 million for new construction. Instead, the council had decided to advance a $15 million remodeling project. Last fall, the council was looking at a scaled back $13.9 million remodel but found even that number wasn't budget friendly.
The council has a $5 million first installment for the police station in its 2026 budget, allocated from cash reserves but not spent yet.
Matt Guarnery, Ackerman-Estvold's consulting architect, said the new plan allows police operations to continue in the building even as construction proceeds. It also provides flexibility to advance the renovation work based on funding availability, he said.
"We want to provide a modernized facility that's operationally efficient and be a facility the department and the community can be proud of," Guarnery said. That includes fiscal responsibility and maximizes use of existing space, he said.
Each of the four phases would take about eight to 10 months to complete, with the entire project completed in three years or so, Guarnery explained. Each phase would have an "off ramp," he said, so that if there is not immediate money for a next phase, the project can be brought into a static stage while awaiting more funds.
Phase One, estimated at $5 million, would incorporate much of the second floor. It would include bring the stairs to code and refit the area to serve investigations, outreach and wellness. Critical infrastructure improvements also are included, such as roofing, electrical upgrades and ventilation system renovation.
If funding for Phase Two isn't immediately available, the off-ramp is to renovate the first floor central area to improve accessibility to other parts of the building, costing about $3 million.
Phase Two expands on the work in the front central area, including reorienting the front door and new locker rooms. Completion would bring total project cost so far to $10 million.
Phase Three would cost $6 million and include remodeling areas used by patrol officers, such as for briefings and report writing, and their sergeant and lieutenant spaces. It includes an intake area and squad garage to the east of the existing facility.
Phase Four is $5.8 million, which includes an evidence area and special operations in the former fire hall.
The architects recommended bidding before late November for 2027 construction.
The council discussed bonding for the renovation, which was estimated at annual payments of $1.3 million over 20 years, depending on interest rate. The added cost of interest was a concern for some while the costs associated with stretching out the project were a concern for others.
"I think we have time to make the decision," City Manager Tom Joyce told the council. "I recommend you don't rush into a decision. It's really about 'Where is the money going to come from?"
The council is continuing to work on its 2027 budget. Council members plan to take up the police station discussion again at their next regular meeting on Aug. 3.