By William C. Singleton III
Journal contributor
Hoover police detectives will soon be getting new offices in a new location.
The City Council recently approved spending $710,700 to renovate nearly 10,000 square feet at the Hoover Public Safety Center so 24 detectives can get new offices.
The city selected Battle Miller Construction Corp. to perform the renovation work as the lowest bidder of nine companies.
Police Chief Nick Derzis said the new offices will give his detectives more room compared to the space-limited offices in City Hall. Office space at City Hall measures about 3,000 square feet, he said.
“That space has been very cramped for investigators for the past 10 years,” he said. “It’s something we have been discussing the past several years. Obviously, the location will be a better location than the one we have today.”
Derzis said the new offices will allow detectives to be closer to the jail facility, cutting down on the amount of time driving back and forth from City Hall to the Public Safety Center.
The renovation will include cubicles for detectives, soundproof interview rooms, a locker room, break area and waiting room, Derzis said.
The new location also will give the police department room for expansion.
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve added detectives. We’ve added them in the same space we have now. In the next 10 years, we’ll be adding additional officers, and we’ll have room to accommodate them,” Derzis said.
Hoover officials said they hope to be within their new offices in six months.
