The Detroit Police Department is shifting its focus from larger police patrol districts to smaller neighborhood precincts, with the help of a new building. Police Chief James E. Craig, Mayor Mike Duggan, and community representatives broke ground on the Detroit Police Department’s new 8th Precinct Station, to be built at 21555 West McNichols Road near Grand River.
The $7.3 million facility will house 126 department members and is expected to open this time next year. Jenkins Construction, a Detroit-based minority-owned company, will be the lead contractor on the project. Features of the new facility include
- Site paving and parking renovation
- New 350 KW generator to full power the entire facility
- New men’s and women’s locker rooms
- New fitness center
The precinct will be the first dedicated one that the neighborhood has had in more than a decade.
In 2005, the 8th Precinct, formerly located at Grand River and McNichols, closed to merge with the 6th Precinct as part of the department’s larger citywide District model. Because of the merger, the 8th Precinct currently operates 4.4 miles outside of its precinct’s boundaries, increasing travel and response times, according to Chief Craig.
“The reopening of the 8th Precinct will complete our transition back to smaller more neighborhood-focused patrol areas,” said Chief Craig. “This is important because it will allow for improved response times, as well as better community engagement and partnerships.”
The new precinct will include two buildings. The primary precinct building will be housed in the building that served as a high school annex and later became a school for special needs children.
The project will also repurpose the historic former Redford Brand of the Detroit Public Library system. The building will be restored and will serve as a Detroit Police and Community Outreach facility. The building will be home to the 8th Precinct’s Neighborhood Police Offers, and provide space to host monthly community meetings and events.
“This project is a great example of the city and community coming together,” said Mayor Duggan. “It was clear how important the old library building is to this neighborhood and Councilman James Tate was instrumental in making sure it was preserved.”
