Voters shoot down $55 million plan for new police headquarters in Norwich

NORWICH, CT. (WFSB) - Voters once again shot down a $55 million plan for new police headquarters in Norwich.

The station was built back in the 1970s and has lots of issues, including mold, limited office space and parking. A referendum has been held three times on the subject of moving.

The recent plan was to move from the old headquarters on Thames Street to the old Chelsea Bank on Main Street, which is owned by the city. It would have become a community center as well as the base of operations for police.

The difference of votes for the referendum was just 231.

“If you got to get out real quick, how are you going to do that with a line of cars there,” said Tom Korenkiewicz, a resident. “New spot if they want, but not in the middle of the city.”

Department chaplain Chuck Tyree fears the bad building affects recruitment. The department is down about 20 officers.

“That’s a concern. We want officers to want to transfer to Norwich,” he said.

The hefty price tag would have been offset by grants, state, and federal funding.

Future plans will still involve the usage of the old bank.

“The benefit is simple. There’s a downtown that’s not that great to be in and it used to be. If you put a PD down there it’s going to be safer, businesses will feel safe to open their doors and there will be a public ready to patronize them,” said Lt. Nicholas Rankin, Norwich Police Department.

“I don’t see any construction prices coming down so I think it’s in our best interest - might as well get it done,” said Swarnjit Singh (D), Mayor, City of Norwich.

Police say they need to do a better job communicating the plans earlier on.

Singh said the price of the project will likely go up the next time it heads to referendum.

Channel 3 was told there have already been meetings held about getting plans moving forward.