With the blessing of the City Plan Commission, the Whalley police substation is on the move — two blocks east, next door to Minore’s Meats.
The commission gave the site plans for the new substation its unanimous seal of approval during a regular monthly meeting Wednesday night at City Hall.
The plans call for putting the new police substation on the ground floor of a three-story building at 322 Whalley Ave. The building is owned by Pasquale Minore, who also is the vice president and secretary of Minore’s Meats.
Markeshia Ricks Photo
Minore did not attend the meeting. He was represented by architect Wayne Garrick (pictured), who said the building had previously been commercial space on the bottom floor and residential on the top two floors. (Back in the day it was deejay Third World George’s reggae dance club.) Putting the police substation and community room on the ground floor, and residential space on the second and third floor, won’t change the space much, he said.
(Click here for a previous story about controversy surrounding the initial plans to move.)
Garrick said the biggest challenge for the plan was that the site had no dedicated parking. The solution: Minore’s Meat will lease 27 spaces in its lot for use by the police. There also is an expectation that many people will take advantage of the substation’s location by walking or biking.
Commissioner Leslie Radcliffe raised some concern that the one-way entrance into the parking lot and the need for officers to respond to emergency calls might create a problem for traffic and pedestrians in the area.
Makiem Miller (pictured), who heads up the WEB (Whalley/Edgewood/Beaver Hills) district, reassured her that substations aren’t mini-police departments filled with officers. He said the substation at most might have one officer inside during a shift working on computer, and officers might use it as a quick place to do interviews. Most officers would be out working their walking beat. “At most there might be three police cars there during a shift,” he said.
Radcliffe also asked if there will be enough parking for those who might be using the community room that will be a part of the new substation. The community management team currently holds its monthly meetings at the existing substation two blocks west at Whalley and Norton, but other events could conceivably be held at a new substation.
Garrick responded that since many events, such as the management team meetings, are often held after Minore’s closes, community members will likely have full access to the parking lot.
City Plan Executive Director Karyn Gilvarg said that once the parking agreement lease agreement has been made, a copy has to be provided for the record. A planting plan also must be provided for staff review, and confirmation must be provided that there will be an accessible handicap parking space.
Commissioner and Westville Alder Adam Marchand asked if the new substation will have more prominent signage.
Miller said new signs that clearly mark the new police substation are all part of the plan for a more visible police presence in the area. The current substation is hard to notice, he said.
Gilvarg said City Plan will review any signage before permits are issued. The substation is expected to be completed in a single phase that will start in May and end in August.