Ground broken for new ninth district police station 

By Amy Rothblatt 

The much anticipated groundbreaking for the new ninth district police station in Bridgeport took place recently at 3120 S. Halsted St.

            Alderman James Balcer of the 11th Ward and John Daley, Cook County Commissioner, 11th District, hosted the ceremony. Attendees included Ninth District Police Commander Eugene Roy, many ninth district police officers, Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, representatives from the South Loop Chamber of Commerce, 16th Ward Alderman Joann Thompson, and Montel Gayles, executive director of the Public Building Commission (PBC) of Chicago.

            Officials announced plans for the new station at 31st and Halsted Sts. last November, when the current police station at 3501 S. Lowe Ave., formerly known as the Deering Station, celebrated its 70th anniversary. The new facility will take up an entire city block on Halsted and at 44,000 square feet will be roughly five times the size of the current station. The new structure will meet U.S. Green Building Council standards for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, in keeping with Mayor Richard M. Daley's dedication to having as much new "green" construction in Chicago as possible.

            Plans call for a rain garden and green roof to reduce summer heat and return storm water quickly to the water table, a well insulated exterior, and energy efficient mechanical systems. The project will make use of recycled local and regional construction materials as well as paint, carpet, wood, and sealants designed to be odor-free and containing minimal pollutants to help maintain air quality.

The general contractor has committed to using "at least 24% participation in the project by minority business enterprises and 4% participation by women business enterprises," according to the PBC.

            The project is part of Mayor Richard M. Daley's Neighborhood Alive! 21 Program, which will replace nearly 20 outdated fire and police stations across the city, many of which are more than 50 years old. The ninth district facility will serve as a prototype for other new police stations and feature the latest technology such as state of the art computers, modern crime fighting equipment, space for community policing programs, a two-level 226-car garage, and 24 additional parking spaces. The station also will provide men’s and women’s locker rooms and conform fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Police officials hope the station’s greatly expanded space and open floor plan will help local residents will feel more comfortable coming to the new station to interact with police and conduct community events. Planners designed the site specifically to encourage more community involvement, increase attendance at Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy meetings, and enhance police officers’ efficiency and performance.

            "This new state of the art facility will help our police officers protect and serve the community better," Balcer noted.

            The Neighborhood Alive! police and fire stations also will improve local infrastructure with new landscaping, alleys, sidewalks, sewers, trash compactors, streetlights, and traffic signals.

            The PBC’s Gayles said Mayor Daley and the commission “are committed to providing professional management of public construction projects that uplift the appeal of city neighborhoods while addressing the needs of the people who live, work, and play in them.”

Besides police and fire stations, the city has been building new schools, libraries, park district facilities, "and other public works projects in an efficient and cost effective manner" that will "encourage private investment in our communities," said Gayles, who is overseeing the ninth district project.

            Commissioner John Daley remarked he has waited for the Bridgeport station for more than ten years and said the City and local community now can "look forward to a new station that will help the officers protect people in this district."

            Commander Eugene Roy noted, "My job is to give our officers the tools and resources they

need to do a good job."

            Officials expect to complete the new station within the next 18 months.

            Ninth district roundup: As police await the new station, the old one continues to undergo needed improvements. For example, the owners of Concession Services Inc. at 1723 S. Michigan Ave. recently gave the district a new color laser printer.

On Aug. 7 the ninth district held its annual National Night Out at McKinley Park at Archer Avenue and Western Boulevard. The event drew more than 600 community residents who came together to work against crime. Visitors stopped by informational tables staffed by several City and community policing services; Cease Fire, an initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention; and local businesses. The evening also provided free food and performances by Ballet Foklorico and Chinese American Service League martial arts experts. Sponsors and donors were Target, McDonald’s, Gertie’s Ice Cream, and Park Federal Savings Bank.

            The ninth district ranked number one in the city for the first half of 2007 in reducing both violent and property crime.

            For more information, call Officer Al Garza, ninth district CAPS, at (312) 747-3501.