Water treatment chemical purchases, tourism appointment and FRPD update

Chief Magalis begins power point on FRPD construction progress – Photo/Roger Bianchini

In addition to an update on the status of Afton Inn redevelopment plans, on July 9 the Front Royal Town Council also got an update on progress on construction of the new town police headquarters; approved a bid on the purchase of chemicals to be used in the treatment processes at both the new-and-improved Water and Wastewater Treatment facilities; and made an appointment to the Joint Tourism Advisory Commission.

Brent C. Jackson, general manager at the Blue Ridge Shadows Holiday Inn, knotted the four-year tourism commission appointment.  Jackson will represent lodging properties on the commission established through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the town government and Warren County enacted on November 12, 2017.  Council appointed two of its required three members on December 11, 2017, with the third member to be appointed at a later date – July 9, 2018 was that date. Jackson’s term will expire on June 9, 2022.

Included in the chemical contracts approved for water and wastewater treatment were Coyne Chemical, Shannon Chemical, USALCO, UNIVAR and Environmental Operating Solutions at various prices per ton and drum of the involved chemicals.

Both votes were 5-0, with Chris Morrison absent.

At the meeting’s outset Front Royal Police Chief Kahle Magalis briefed council on progress at the new police headquarters on Kendrick Lane at Monroe Avenue across the street from the northwestern edge of the Royal Phoenix Business Park.  Magalis noted that this construction project financed by the Town through the EDA is the first specific-use construction project the Town has been involved in, within memory.

Artist’s rendering of the site plan – Royal Examiner File Photos

He said that due to the wet spring the projected “substantial completion” date had been moved back a month, from November 30 to December 31, 2018; with a final completion date of January 31, 2019 now projected.

The project is about 60-percent complete with both buildings now being completely under roof, Magalis told council.  The design is for a two-building complex totaling 21,600 square feet; with 14,600 s.f. of that comprising the main headquarters building.

The 7,000 s.f. support building will house evidence processing and storage, K-9 kennels, the bicycle patrol unit and garage bays.

The support building from Kendrick Lane

Rear of the support building

It is forecast as an $8-million construction project, with design, engineering, furnishing and other associated costs raising the total project price to $11 million.  Magalis noted that the new headquarter is projected to accommodate town law enforcement needs as many as 40 years into the future.

The move, on whatever date it finally occurs, will be a welcome one for FRPD.

The town police are currently housed – for the most part – in 7,236 s.f. at the old Warren County Sheriff’s Office on Jackson Street.  The Town pays Warren County $4,299.86 in monthly rent for the location, or $51,600 annually (minus a $1.68).  And FRPD, which moved out of its old 4,032 s.f. West Main Street and Luray Avenue headquarters in late 2013, has already outgrown the old sheriff’s office space.  The Criminal Investigations Division occupies space in the old Comcast/Finance Department building across the street from the old Town Hall.

The project is being financed through a 20-year CIP bond issue through the EDA, hopefully with 9-years of interest-free payment discounts provided by qualifications for the New Market Tax Credit Program.

Wait, what – police officers get breaks?!? Hopefully, and can relax in this courtyard

According to the Town Finance Department, past real estate tax hikes of 2.16 cents and a third of a penny in 2014, as well as future hikes of a half cent over a five-year period (2019-2023) will provide the revenue to pay for the project.  Combined those tax hikes will provide $525,000 of annual revenue to payment of the 20-year bond issue for the project.