EASTPOINTE, Mich.—Eastpointe is moving forward with one of its largest civic investments in decades, breaking ground on a new combined police station and 38th District Court complex that city officials say will finally replace aging facilities and modernize public safety operations for the next generation.
The two‑story, 44,000‑square‑foot building—budgeted at $22,047,000 for construction—is being built by C.E. Gleeson Constructors of Troy, the low bidder among six firms competing for the project. Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick (AEW), Eastpointe’s longtime engineering partner, is serving as architect and design engineer, responsible for the building’s layout, renderings, and technical specifications.
City leaders describe the project as a long‑overdue upgrade for both the police department and the district court, which currently operate in facilities that date back more than half a century.
A Consolidated Public‑Safety Campus
The new complex rises on a city‑owned parcel at Nine Mile and Gratiot, where site work began earlier this month. Police operations will occupy the first floor, including patrol, investigations, evidence processing, administrative offices, and a secure sally port. The second floor will house the 38th District Court, complete with two courtrooms, judicial chambers, clerk offices, and public waiting areas.
AEW’s design includes future‑proofing elements, such as courtroom infrastructure that can support a second judge if the district’s caseload expands. Technology upgrades—digital evidence systems, integrated audio‑visual equipment, and improved public‑access tools—are planned throughout the court level.
For police, the building adds modern evidence storage, expanded training space, upgraded holding areas, and improved circulation between secure and public zones. A separate gun‑range building will receive soundproofing and HVAC improvements funded through a $3.1 million supplemental package covering specialized systems, furniture, and technology.
A Competitive Bid and a Regional Team
Eastpointe’s City Council unanimously awarded the construction contract to C.E. Gleeson Constructors, whose $22.047 million bid came in below competitors including Quadrate Construction and DMC Consultants, the second‑ and third‑lowest bidders. The city’s engineering representative, Ryan Kern of AEW, is overseeing technical coordination, while City Manager Ryan Madis and Finance Director Randall Blum are managing funding and procurement.
The project team reflects a regional mix of public‑sector experience and municipal engineering expertise. AEW has designed multiple civic buildings across Macomb County, while Gleeson Constructors has delivered public‑safety facilities throughout southeast Michigan.
Funding the Largest Civic Project in Years
The city is financing the project through a combination of state and local sources:
- $8 million state grant, with an additional $1 million under consideration
- $10 million municipal bond, secured in June
- $2 million in previously committed city funds
- $3.1 million for technology, furniture, and gun‑range upgrades
Officials say the combined facility approach reduces long‑term operating costs and improves coordination between police and court staff, making the investment more sustainable than separate buildings.
“This is a generational project for Eastpointe,” city leaders said at the groundbreaking, noting that the current police station dates to the 1950s and the existing court building has been repeatedly patched to meet modern standards.
Timeline and Next Steps
Major construction will continue through 2027, with interior build‑out and technology installation scheduled for the final months of the project. Court operations are expected to transition first, followed by full police occupancy once training and evidence systems are commissioned.
The city plans to release updated renderings later this year as exterior materials and interior finishes are finalized.
