TAUNTON – Construction is underway in the city of Taunton, located about 15 miles from the Rhode Island line, where a new 62,000-square-foot public safety complex is being built by a contractor called CTA Construction Managers LLC.
The new building is being constructed at 90 County St., the grounds of the former Villa Fatima Pre-School and convent.
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Taunton’s city government spent $1.9 million to acquire the 40-acre site in 2021, before voters there approved a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion last year to help finance the $79 million public safety building project.
The city expects the project to be completed by January 2026, with a projected move-in date of March 2027.
CTA Construction Managers said the project consists of a two-story public safety building, along with a 16,000-square-foot operations support building and a fire training tower.
“The new complex will house both the police and fire departments, providing a modern, centralized location for emergency response and administration,” according to CTA Construction Managers, in a recent announcement about the project getting underway.
The Taunton Fire Department currently operates out of a 50 School St. headquarters, while the Taunton Police Department headquarters is now located at 23 Summer St.
The architectural design for the new Taunton Public Safety Complex was completed by Caolo & Bieniek Architects, which also constructed the UMass Amherst Police Headquarters together with CTA Construction Managers.
“The design of the new complex ensures that Taunton is well-prepared to meet the challenges of the current and future community needs,” said Jim Hanifan, vice president at Caolo & Bieniek Architects.
Key features of the new public safety offices include an equipment bay, meant to provide ample space for emergency vehicles and equipment; a Sallyport, which is a secure area for the transfer of detainees; modern booking and holding facilities, designed in accordance with the latest standards for safety and security; and sleeping quarters, meant to provide comfortable and secure accommodations for on-duty personnel.
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said the construction project represents the city’s devotion to the safety of everyone in the community, including the police officers and firefighters.
“The Public Safety Complex is a symbol of our commitment to public safety and a brighter, safer future for all Taunton residents,” O’Connell said. “This state-of-the-art complex will enhance our emergency response capabilities, ensuring that our police and fire departments have the resources they need to serve and protect our community effectively.”
Pat Tompkins, principal of CTA Construction Managers, said project teams are “on track” to complete the new public safety complex in keeping with the city’s timeline, “by the end of 2025.”
Marc Larocque is a PBN contributor. Contact him at Larocque@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter @LaRockObama.
