The City of Westerville closed on the purchase of 229 Huber Village Blvd. (the existing office building and land) in August 2018. The existing 28,500 sq. ft. complex will be expanded to make adequate room for all police and Mayor's Court operations. 

In the decade of planning before the purchase of the Huber Village Boulevard property, the City hoped to construct a new facility on the property currently holding the Westerville Armory and adjoining parcel, located at 240 S. State St. Despite the City's best efforts, this option never materialized. 

With the need for space still pressing, the City looked for alternate sites. With few undeveloped parcels in the four to six acre range available, the City evaluated options for other parcels. In late 2017, the property at 229 Huber Village Blvd. became available. 

Located just east of State Street and easily accessible from Huber Village Boulevard, with ample parking, the property provides a convenient point of access and aligns with the City's ongoing commitment to and investment in the southern portion of the City. By reusing an existing commercial building, the purchase allows the City to achieve lower overall development costs by taking advantage of site improvements already borne by the original developer, in addition to the reuse of 28,500 sq. ft. of existing office space.

The City acquired the building and parcel for $2.1 million from its original asking price of more than $2.5 million. Construction costs to retrofit and build onto the facility are estimated at $15 million. In 2019, Westerville voters approved the issuance of $15 million in General Obligation bonds for 20 years to finance the construction. 

The average monthly cost to residents was estimated to be about $2.80 for every $100,000 of home valuation. 

In September 2020, the City learned it would retain its category-best Aaa rating for the interest rate on the bonds. Instead of an anticipated total interest over 20 years at a worst-case 5.0% interest rate (totally $8.9 million), the City's excellence in financial management earned a total interest cost over 20 years at $4.2 million, saving more than $4.6 million in interest alone.

 The City will utilize the bond premium for the interest costs in 2021 and 2022, thereby reducing the amount to be paid by the taxpayers in those years. Staff anticipates the millage in 2021 will be approximately 0.33, rather than 0.96.

The City acquired the building and parcel for $2.1 million from its original asking price of more than $2.5 million. Construction costs to retrofit and build onto the facility are estimated at $15 million. In 2019, Westerville voters approved the issuance of $15 million in General Obligation bonds for 20 years to finance the construction. 

In September 2020, the City learned it would retain its category-best Aaa rating for the interest rate on the bonds. Instead of an anticipated total interest over 20 years at a worst-case 5.0% interest rate (totally $8.9 million), the City's excellence in financial management earned a total interest cost over 20 years at $4.2 million, saving more than $4.6 million in interest alone.

The millage from 2021-2022 will be 0.33, as the City is using bond premium to pay the interest for the first few years. The estimated cost is $11.55 for every $100,000 of home valuation. 

Learn about home valuations in....

• Franklin County
• Delaware County

If approved by voters and upon the completion of the Police/Court Facility, City staff currently housed at 64 E. Walnut St. will move into the current WPD headquarters (29 S. State St., after it is converted). The East Walnut Street building currently houses the City's Planning & Development, Information Systems, Utility Billing, Income Tax and some Parks & Recreation programing space.

All Parks and Recreation moved to the Westerville Community Center upon the completion of facility expansion project.

28 S. State St.

The former Westerville Post Office serves as the current home to the WPD Investigations Bureau. All staff in this building will relocate to the Police/Court Facility and this property will be sold.

240 S. State St.

This building is known as the "Westerville Armory" and was once home to the Ohio National Guard. It was purchased by the City in 2007 with the possibility of being used to support a future Police/Court Facility. However, the adjacent property needed for such a project has not been available for acquisition. The Armory property will be sold. 

64 E. Walnut St.

After the City departments within the building are relocated to the existing WPD facility (29 S. State St., which will be remodeled), the property will be sold.

In addition to needed space, a Police/Court Facility will provide room for training and a dedicated court space for its weekly operations. Community meeting space would be available on days that Court is not in session. Several areas of the existing WPD headquarters are outdated and in need of repair. Its aging and outdated shooting range, currently housed in the basement, will be replaced by a range that can be utilized on a daily basis. The space and condition of the jail's holding cells is also outdated and needing more maintenance. 

Parking

The growth of WPD alongside Uptown over the past 25 years continues to put pressure on the overall parking availability in the District. Relocating the Police/Court facility to the new site will free up parking spaces in Uptown that are today occupied 24/7 by WPD and Court staff.

Future Growth

While the planned new facility at 229 Huber Village Blvd. is expected to meet the City's needs for several decades to come, there is more capacity at this site than the currently overcrowded Uptown locations can sustain for future growth.

Reduced Footprint

The combined facilities plan ultimately builds one new facility and eliminates three. The consolidation represents a more efficient configuration of space for operations and allows buildings currently housing public services to be converted into private sector uses.

There would be no impact to emergency response times. Officers are assigned to five districts across the City and are NOT dispatched from headquarters when responding to calls.

Yes. The Uptown area was created as a patrol district to which officers are assigned on every shift.