TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Wednesday, the Terre Haute redevelopment commission discusses financing options for a new Terre Haute Police Department headquarters.
According to Terre Haute Police Chief Shawn Keen, records show that the building used as the current headquarters for THPD was built in 1890.
“What we’re in now is a series of three different buildings—-so it really was never built to be a police department,” Chief Keen said.
As an upgrade, Terre Haute officials are looking to relocate the police department to the former Tribune Star building at 7th and Walnut.
“Due to a variety of financial reasons we just haven’t been in a position until now to advance this project,” said Mayor Duke Bennett, City of Terre Haute.
During a virtual meeting of the Terre Haute redevelopment commission on Wednesday, Mayor Bennett estimated the project could cost around $10 million dollars.
Over the past few months, Bennett says the city has looked at several options for financing the project.
“We’ve looked at lease to own, traditional financing, bonding it out,” Bennett said.
On Wednesday, it also recommended that the city help pay for the project by consolidating three tax increment finance districts into one.
This initial step was approved by the redevelopment commission, but must also go before the planning commission and Terre Haute city council before the move becomes official.
Mayor Bennett says if the project does move forward, the former Tribune Star building provides a number of benefits for the city.
“This building more than meets our needs, it accelerates the timeline to get the project done and in the long run it saves us a considerable amount of money,” Bennett said.
If the project does get the appropriate approvals, Bennett says the current police station would be torn down and used for future development.
