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Updates on Public Safety Facility
Groundbreaking- October 2, 2017
Public Safety Facility
The City of Lawton hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Public Safety Facility on October 2, 2017, in the lot between Southeast Larrence and Railroad Streets, south of East Gore Boulevard.
The ceremony featured addresses by Mayor Fred Fitch, City Manager Jerry Ihler, Lawton Police Chief James Smith, Lawton Fire Chief Dewayne Burk, Chamber of Commerce Representative Nathan Slate, Ward 7 Councilwoman V. Gay McGahee and Dr. Keith Miles of Central Baptist Church.
"This is a great day for the Lawton Police Department and the citizens of Lawton Fort Sill," Smith said. "This will be one of the focal points that will enhance the downtown center and make the community a wonderful place to live."
The facility comes at a construction cost of $33.7 million, funded by the 2015 Sales Tax Extension, and is set to include a new police station, city jail, municipal court and fire facility. The 106,778 sq. ft. building will house 350 work stations and hold 126 inmates with future expansion opportunities to hold more than 300 inmates. It was approved by Lawton City Council to be designed by Dewberry Architects; a construction bid was awarded to Flintco LLC of Oklahoma City in August 2017.
"The start of the construction of the new Public Safety Facility marks the beginning of a new era for public safety for the city of Lawton," Burk said. "This new facility will provide opportunities for additional growth and allow personnel to utilize new technology, which should aid in their ability to perform their jobs."
During the ceremony, a community time capsule with items collected from longtime community agencies and organizations was presented to attendees and City of Lawton staff. Items within the stainless steel capsule will be vacuum-sealed and then placed in the ground beneath the bell tower to be erected in front of the facility. In 50 years, they will be uncovered.
Contributors include the Chamber of Commerce, Cameron University, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and Fort Sill.
"Lawton Fort Sill has a unique culture that should be preserved and celebrated," said Community Relations Director Tiffany Martinez Vrska. "Our community is branded by wonderful partnerships and people that continue to grow and progress with each passing year. In 50 years, it will be fascinating to uncover and study the items placed in this capsule – to remember our history and see just how far we've come."
For more information on the facility, please call the City of Lawton Engineering Department at (580) 581-3385.