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New Police Station Project Page
December 2025 / January 2026 Update - Steel continues to be erected. Joists are installed and some metal deck is in place. Masonry of stairwell on right is still underway. Sallyport has been tented for masonry work to continue. Work has begun on some of the drainage ponds on site. Ductwork is being installed in the range.
October 6, 2025 Update - Construction of the walls for the first floor is well underway. You can see the windows starting to take shape along the east side of the building. The footings for the outbuilding have been poured and the foundation is formed. The foundation along with the slab for the sally port will be poured during the week of October 6th.
September 8, 2025 Update - Site work continues on the new PD project. The east side of the parking lot has been brought up to grade and a base coat of asphalt has been laid. The north half of the slab was poured on September 4th and the south portion will be poured the week of September 8th. The sally port and tactical training area have been brought up to grade. In this picture, you can see the layout of the future lobby area.
August 22, 2025 Update - The foundation of the main building is 100% complete. Crews are working on backfilling and bringing the slab floor up to grade. Underground plumbing and electrical infrastructure have been installed. Depicted in the photo is the foundation for the police department's first floor. The sally port is to the left of the building with the tactical training range to the rear. Site work will continue to bring the east side to final grade. The east side will be receiving a first layer of asphalt in September
July 10, 2025 Update - Work continues on the footings and foundation. This work should be completed by the week of July 21st. A majority of the footings and foundation for the building proper and range have been completed. Work on the sally port and outbuilding will begin in the next few weeks. Vertical construction should begin in early September.
June 6, 2025 Update - Demolition of the existing structure continued throughout the past week. The majority of construction debris has been safely packaged and prepared for proper disposal. Much of this material originated from the exterior of the original 1960s-era building, which contained asbestos in multiple areas and required careful handling. Portions of the original concrete slab still remain on site and are scheduled to be removed within the coming week.
Meanwhile, foundation work has commenced on the north end of the site and is progressing eastward. This phase of construction is expected to continue over the next several weeks.
May 15, 2025 Update - It was a busy week at the Veterans Memorial site. Demolition crews made quick work of the storage shed and K9 kennel. Demolition of the triple wide trailer was also completed followed by the beginning of the building proper. The building tear down and clean up is expected to take three weeks. The area of the main building which has been taken down housed the male and female lockers rooms, booking room, evidence storage and Special Services.
May 2, 2025 Update - Abatement continues with much of the work being conducted in the building. Some exterior bricks have been removed to gain access to detected hazardous materials. Site work continues with drainage basins being constructed at the east and west entrances. Fencing around the K9 kennel and impound lot has been removed. The generator has been relocated and repurposed to the Municipal Services building at 21A Cross St. Final utility cut off is expected the week of May 5th. Building tear down to begin week of May 12th with a 3-week schedule.
April 18, 2025 Update - Site work continues with the removal of stumps and the erosion control has been completed. The building at 9 Vets has been completely emptied as abatement begins. The removal of hazardous material (asbestos) will take two-three weeks to complete.
April 11, 2025 Update - The Police Department successfully moved operations from 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway to the temporary space at 21A Cross St. All police department operations will run out of this location until we move back to 9 Vets. This is estimated to be late summer 2026.
Site work continues at 9 Vets with tree stumping and erosional control put in place. Crews also installed the turtle bridges, a requirement from the State of NH to protect any turtles who may wander onto the site during construction.
April 4, 2025 Update - Work is underway at 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway. Crews began site work on April 1, clearing land around the perimeter to expand the footprint. The existing building, shown in the photo, will be completely demolished to make way for a new facility.
Salem PD to Move to Temporary Facility Starting April 7, 2025
Starting on Monday, April 7th, the Salem Police Department will commence a phased movement of all police operations to a temporary facility. The temporary facility is located at 21A Cross Street and will be co-located with the Town’s Municipal Services Department - Department of Public Works.
The Department expects to have completely transferred operations to the temporary facility by Thursday, April 10th, at which point, our current location at 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway will be closed for eventual tear down. There will be signage directing people to the new location once the current location has closed.
Please click here for the full Press Release with more information.
We are excited to present a comprehensive overview of our upcoming project—the construction of a new police station. This project is designed to enhance our community's safety and provide a modern and efficient space for our dedicated police force.
Project Details: The New Police Station encompasses an operational area on two levels of approximately 31,600 square feet and a Training Range of approximately 4,000 square feet. A K9 Outbuilding of approximately 4,000 square feet is located behind the building on the backside of the property. The overall layout is strategically situated within the existing footprint of the current Police Station. In total, the square footage of the new facilities will be approximately 40,000 square feet. This approach minimally impacts the wetlands, expedites the construction timeline, and allows our Police Department to function seamlessly during the building process.
Benefits of This Option:
- Minimized impact on wetlands
- Faster construction timeline (approximately sixteen months)
- Uninterrupted Police Department operations
- Complete separation from the public during construction
Project Breakdown:
- Hard Costs: $29,740,462
- Soft Costs: $3,549,702 (Totaling $33,290,164)
- Relocation of Current Police Department and Owner's Contingency: $5,276,023
Total Project Cost: $38,566,188
*See Project Budget Breakdown here*
Cost Per Square Foot: $951
Construction Period: Approximately sixteen (16) months
Important Note: To ensure the smooth execution of this project, we'll need to account for the relocation of the Police Department during the construction duration.
We are committed to transparency and community involvement throughout this process. For any questions or additional information, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a safer and more efficient future for our community.
January 10, 2024 - Presentation to Budget Committee on New Police Station
August 21, 2023 - Presentation to Town Council re Police Station Massing Options
August 4, 2023 - Engineering Firm Introduction- TGAS
August 1, 2023 - National Night Out Current Police Station Deficiencies Video
"The police facility continues to be very cramped. We operate out of a facility of 9,000+ square feet that houses 75 full time employees. We have run out of office and storage space and have sacrificed floor space to other needs. This has a direct impact on our ability to do the job the best way possible."
Stephen MacKinnon, Chief of Police
From the 1998 Town Report
The following is a quick history of the actions taken through the years to advance the cause of an updated, properly sized facility for the Salem Police Department.
The need for an updated Police Station dates back as far as the 1970's. A warrant article from 1976 Town Meeting provided for a roughly 5,000 ft2 addition, bringing the Police Station to a total of 8,600 ft2 for a department of 50 employees. The Department soon outgrew this space. In 1999, the Town added 2 trailers to the property to address space needs as the department grew to 75 employees. This represents the last addition to the current site.
Space deficiencies remained and in 2002 the Selectmen commissioned a Building Committee to study the needs of a new facility, with a report and plans to be ready for 2004 Town Meeting. The Committee had three tasks: (1) choose the location for the new Police Station; (2) determine building space needs today and for the next 30 years; and (3) determine what taxpayers in Salem can afford to pay in taxes for a new Police Station.
The Committee voted that the building design shall be for a 28,800 square foot building, including a schematic expansion plan for 6,500 square feet to be located on a town-owned parcel of land on Lawrence Road and accessible from Sally Sweets Way. This advanced to Town Meeting article 22 which would have committed $7,450,000. Despite winning a plurality of affirmative votes, the measure failed to meet the required 2/3 votes necessary to issue a municipal bond.
Following this vote, the Board of Selectmen in 2006/07 tried a new approach for a station that responded to criticisms dealt during the previous process. The new approach included a reduced police station footprint located on the existing site, focused solely on departmental needs and utilizing a Design/Build approach. Plans were drafted, a contractor was selected and the measure was moved to the Town Meeting warrant article with a total cost of $7,135,712. Again, the measure failed.
In 2008, the Town undertook modest improvements and replaced the 1999 manufactured units with 3 new ones. At this point, there was a total of 13,880 ft2 for 75 employees.
In 2015, the Town tried again with a concept for a Public Safety Complex to house both Police and Fire, with the departments co-located on the Police Station parcel. The project had a total cost of $23,480,000 and would have provided 26,535 ft2 for Police and 27,830 ft2 for Fire. The measure was unsuccessful.
More recently, the Town Selectmen assembled the Municipal Building Advisory Committee (MBAC) to revisit the Police facility among others. The choose the location for the new station, determine building space needs for the present and next 30 years and determine what Salem taxpayers could afford to pay for a facility. The current plans and decisions are driven by the MBAC goals and process.
The Salem Police Department (PD) is committed to providing opportunities for the public to see the Station for themselves. We invite you to speak with guides about the existing conditions and the space needs of a modern operation. We have already hosted the members of various Town Committees, including the Town Council, Budget Committee, Communications Committee, and the Zoning Board.
The Salem Police Department have scheduled a series of regular open houses on Tuesdays and Saturdays for the general public to see the Station! Click here to see the schedule and Sign Up!
To date, we have completed 20 guided tours for the public since August. Additional tours are scheduled and you can sign up by clicking the graphic above..
Further, we are providing additional outreach opportunities by participating in the following community activities, as follows:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 7, 2024 | 9:00 am | Presentation on Police Station Project to Women's Group at Ingram Senior Center |
| March 4, 2024 | 9:00 am | Presentation on Police Station Project to Men's Group at Ingram Senior Center |
| February 28, 2024 | 7:00 pm | Police Station Public Information Session #2 at Salem High School Media Center |
| February 1, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Presentation on Police Station Project to Salem Republican Party |
| January 31, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Chamber of Commerce Round Table at Ingram Senior Center |
| January 30, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Presentation on Police Station Project to Salem Democratic Party |
| January 18, 2024 | 7:00 pm | Police Station Public Information Session #1 at Salem High School Media Center |
| January 16, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Town Council and Budget Committee Public Hearing on Salem Warrant Articles |
| October 15, 2023 | 12:30 to 4:30 pm | Harvest Fest 2023, Mary Queen of Peace |
| September 30, 2023 | All Day | Salem Scramble, Salem High School |
| September 30, 2023 | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm | Drive Life 2023, Drive Custom Fitness, Tuscan Village |
| August 27, 2023 | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | Family Fun Day, Field of Dreams |
| August 1, 2023 | 5:00 to 8:00 pm | National Night Out, Salem Police Department |
- Why do we need a new police station?
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The existing facility exhibits a range of deficiencies that impede its functionality and safety. Notably, it fails to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, lacks a sprinkler system, and cannot simultaneously accommodate interviews with multiple victims or suspects. The absence of proper segregation between criminal and non-criminal spaces, insufficient sight and sound separation for different detainee groups, and the lack of accessible restrooms pose serious limitations.
Moreover, the infrastructure is inadequate, outdated, and faulty. The building's design does not align with modern technological needs, and there are concerns related to electrical overloads and inadequate temperature control for IT equipment. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system's inefficiency leads to temperature imbalances across the facility. Numerous deficiencies are noted in the fire alarm system, and some operational aspects, like detainee transportation and plumbing, present ongoing challenges.
Severe overcrowding compounds these issues. Essential units, such as the Investigations Unit, operate from an outdated trailer, leading to storage challenges and the repurposing of detainee cells for record storage. Evidence storage inadequacies, constrained locker space, and the lack of proper office arrangements further hinder efficient operations. Additionally, efforts to secure federal grant funding for agency improvement are hampered by the building's limitations, impeding workspace and storage solutions required for new personnel, equipment, and documentation.
Specialty units’ resort to sheds for equipment storage, while multi-functional rooms, like the roll call/briefing space, struggle to accommodate the needs of a growing employee count. Dispatch capabilities fall short, with an insufficient setup for potential simultaneous dispatchers. The facility's shortcomings extend to areas such as School Resource Officer workspaces, on-site Animal Control Services, and personnel record storage. In sum, these deficiencies collectively hinder the agency's operational effectiveness, safety, and potential for community service enhancement.
- Where will it be built?
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Location
The new facility will be built on the site of the current police station at 9 Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Other Sites Considered
The Municipal Building Advisory Committee did look at other sites including a location off of Stiles Road and Abanki Park at 71 Geremonty Drive.
- Is the existing site the best location for a new Station?
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Yes. The Municipal Building Advisory Committee (MBAC), the Police Department staff, and the Town Council are unanimous in their belief the present site is the most optimal for the new facility. This consensus is driven by several compelling factors: first, there is no expenditure involved in acquiring land from the taxpayers; second, the location boasts a strategically central position; and finally, there exists ample space for the construction of the facility.
- What will happen to the existing station is a new one is built?
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During the construction of the new facility, the current station will not be operational. To ensure continued service, staff will be temporarily relocated. The process will involve demolishing the existing station before constructing the new facility in its place.
- How would the Town pay for the facility?
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The Town would need to finance the majority of the cost of the facility through bonds paid through taxes. Additionally, Public Safety Impact Fees will be allocated toward the bond principal.
Bonds may be issued in phases. Savings in construction costs or contributions from grants or donors would be used to reduce the amount the Town had to bond or repay the bonds early.
- Is grant money available?
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At this time, there are no grants or Federal funding for brick and mortar projects, however there are grant opportunities available for certain aspects of the project, such as technology, communication, and energy saving projects. To take advantage of grant money, the full project must be funded and ready for construction. Staff is prepared to research and apply for grants once the project is funded and ready to be built. Any contributions or grants the Town secured would be used to reduce the cost of the bond amount or used to pay off the bonds early.
- The proposed facility includes a Firing Range for the Police Department. Why doesn’t the Police Department continue to use other training facilities in the state?
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The proposed police range would be approximately 3,100 square feet, depending on design options. This building is a small portion of the projected cost for the whole facility. The proposed range will address the Police Department’s current training needs and support long-term training goals. The on-site range building would allow officers to move from the classroom immediately to training exercises where critical thinking and decision-making skills are honed under stressful conditions in a controlled environment. An on-site range reduces problems related to travel costs to other facilities, lack of availability at other facilities, and lack of integration into a regular training regimen. The construction of the range will provide an adequate training facility for several decades.
- Can I see the existing conditions for myself?
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The Police Department is happy to schedule a tour for residents. Residents may call the station at (603) 893-1911 to arrange a tour.
The Town also has a video that shows the condition of the station posted on the Town website.