City Council approves purchase of new Charleston Police headquarters

UPDATE 9/16/24 @ 7:30 p.m.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ)- Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin announced, during Monday’s City Council meeting, the city will purchase the former Truist property, located at 1 Piedmont Road, to establish the new public safety center—a project that has been top priority of this administration. The new facility will provide a space that better serves the community and the Charleston Police Department (CPD).

“Establishing a new public safety Center for the Charleston Police Department has been a central focus of this administration – reflecting our unwavering commitment to enhancing public safety and modernizing our city’s law enforcement infrastructure,” Goodwin said. “Having a state-of-the-art public safety center – easily accessible to all areas of our city – will enhance our department’s capabilities and significantly improve our officers’ ability to serve and protect our community.”

At more than 80,000 square feet, the property provides enough space to meet the current and future needs of CPD. In addition, the property has enough parking to accommodate CPD’s entire fleet.

“Charleston has the largest municipal police department in the State. Securing this property is a critical step toward ensuring CPD remains competitive – attracting qualified candidates who are committed to protecting and serving our community and focusing on retention through the ranks,” said Chief of Police Scott Dempsey. “This state-of-the-art facility will equip our department with the tools and resources necessary to stay competitive and further strengthen the bonds between our police force and the community.”

Nearly $2.75 million had already been allocated to conduct the feasibility study, develop initial design concepts, and identify and purchase the property.

Charleston City Council approved Resolution No. 24-021– authorizing the City to enter into a purchase sale agreement to acquire property located at 1 Piedmont Road for the Public Safety Center.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - A former bank facility could soon be the new headquarters for the Charleston Police Department.

City officials are proposing to buy the former Truist/BB&T location at 1 Piedmont Road for approximately $2 million, according to a proposed resolution, as well as a proposed purchase and sale agreement attached to Charleston City Council’s agenda for Monday night.

The purchase, if approved, would move the police chief and administrators out of City Hall and into one central location with the rest of its force.

“Our police department has been scattered all over the city,” Mayor Amy Goodwin, D-Charleston, told WSAZ.

The mayor said Monday night’s vote is two years in the making.

A site/property analysis, also attached to the agenda, concludes the police department needs more space, more security, and better technology among other items. It further determines the bank property meets those needs best out of 14 possible locations.

The analysis cites plenty of room inside and out, along with quick access to three interstates and other areas of the city.

“You want to make sure that your force is able to maneuver around everything that’s happening, certainly outside of the Central Business District,” Goodwin told WSAZ.

Andrew Blackwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Kanawha & Putnam, operates the nearby Habitat for Humanity ReStore. He believes a new police department could increase traffic for neighboring businesses and boost security.

“I don’t think we’re in a high-crime area by any means, but, you know, having a presence close by is comforting,” he said.

“This is going to save money,” Goodwin added. “It is going to safe time and, most important, it’s going to make our police department what it should be, which is efficient and working on behalf of our businesses and our citizens.”

“The site and property study found the building’s use as banking and data facility means it is already hardened with a certain level of security, meaning the building itself will only need modest security improvements.

If approved, Goodwin estimates it will take about two years to remodel the property and move everything under one roof.

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