After months in the temporary offices on Bauer Drive, Supervisor Elaine McConnell (R-Springfield), the West Springfield District Police Station, and Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Company 27 are all moving into regular quarters at 6140 Rolling Road.
Project manager Katayoon Shaya, of the Fairfax County Planning and Design Division, followed the project.
"It has a positive community impact," she said.
McConnell's chief of staff, Norm Byers, looked at the positive impact of having new facilities, meeting rooms and equipment.
"It is a consolidated government center," he said. "It will increase our efficiency. We finally have a community center, it will serve our constituents."
The moving-in date was planned for March, but weather pushed it back a few months. Renovation of the fire department started two years ago, and it continued to operate out of a trailer behind the station. The police and supervisor’s office moved to two houses nearby for a few months while the work was being done.
Lt. Debi Burnett oversaw the move from the police side.
"We're not going to have our first roll call until the midnight shift tomorrow evening (June 18)," she said.
Work continues on the fire facility and is expected to be complete by the end of the summer, according to Shaya. When their facility is completely done, the station will get an additional fire truck due to the increasing population in the area.
Capt. Gary Winemiller maintains fire support and monitored the move. "The fire department recognized the needs," he said. "We will be getting another truck," he said.
Part of the demand from both the police and the fire department for expanded facilities was to cater to a growing female presence on both forces. The old facilities didn't have a women's locker room. Female officers and firefighters used temporary locker rooms.
"They've had a number of staff added through the years, including female staff," Shaya said.
WORK OVER the summer will include putting in storm-water-retention ponds, finishing the fire facility, and the demolition of the existing houses that served as temporary offices. The area will be landscaped, adhering to environmental standards. Saving the houses, which are owned by the county, was not an option.
"They will be regraded and forested," Shaya said. "We need the property to meet our environmental obligations. We have an approved landscaping plan."
The $10,840,000 renovation updated and reconfigured the police, fire and supervisor’s offices, adding about 18,000 for a total of 41,500 square feet. Funded with a 1998 bond, the renovation breaks down into 49 percent for police facilities; 34 percent for fire; 10 percent dedicated to lobby, community room and public facilities; and 7 percent going to the supervisor’s office.
The Sully Station, which houses Supervisor Michael Frey (R) and the police, just opened as well. It was entirely new instead of renovated like Springfield