CONCORD, N.H. — The Concord City Council voted to move forward with construction of a new police station, approving a $41 million budget after reducing the project’s original cost by $4.5 million. The decision followed more than an hour of debate over the price tag for the 70,000-square-foot facility, which has drawn scrutiny from both councilors and residents.
The amendment to lower the budget was designed to achieve savings through value-added engineering without reducing the building’s footprint. City officials said the next step will be working with contractors to ensure the project stays within the revised budget.
While all councilors agreed that a new police station is needed, two members opposed the project due to concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. Written testimony from residents also expressed frustration about the timing of the project, pointing to recent multimillion-dollar city investments in a new middle school, renovations at Memorial Field, and a clubhouse at Beaver Meadow.
The current police station on Green Street has long been considered inadequate, lacking secure evidence storage, proper facilities for female officers, safe routes for detainees, and a functional reception area. The city has already spent $4.1 million to purchase land at 4 Bouton Street for the new headquarters and $3.5 million on design work.
Supporters of the project argued that moving forward now is fiscally responsible, noting that delays and inflation would only increase costs. Some councilors also pointed to broader structural issues, such as the state’s lack of support for public schools, which they said forces municipalities to shoulder more of the financial burden.
