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An obstacle was cleared last week, but many still remain in the Lakes Area Police Commission’s seemingly endless quest for a new public safety facility.  The police commission consisting of two officials from each member city took years to analyze possible locations and then develop a preferred plan, ending up with a new facility in the central part of the police response service area on Karmel Avenue, in Chisago City. 

A two year lobbying effort failed in legislative sessions, for financial aid in the state’s capital projects bonding.  The cities of Lindstrom and Chisago City had an $8 million project at the time and wanted $4 million infused by the state because local taxpayers could never foot the full bill alone.

Then, representatives on the police commission changed, and new representatives un-selected the Chisago City site.  The new approach switched to remodel Lindstrom City Hall for law enforcement use only.

Last week the police commissioners voted 3-1 to bring the city hall re-use plan to their full city councils as quickly as practical for approval.

“No one wants this solution,” the chief of police acknowledged, as he introduced the city hall recommendation.  “No one loves this.”

Chief Bill Schlumbohm did mention that Wyoming city officials are moving ahead and they have been in somewhat the same space needs predicament as LAPD.   Wyoming is advancing their re-use and remodel of a commercial building to become city hall/police operations. 

Officials in Wyoming tried to land state bonding assistance for a public safety facility plan proposed on property near Split Rocks entertainment center, and  also were unsuccessful.

Chisago City commission member Mark Anderson was the no vote when it came time to ask for a full city council review.  The police commission is not structured to take on public debt, so the two full city councils must authorize funding.  

Anderson said last week he prefers the new headquarters be sited in the center of the  two cities’ service area. There also is an impound lot situated on Karmel Avenue the police utilize.  There also is room at the location for expansion for future growth.   (An impound lot is tentatively shown in the subcommittee plan east of Akerson, nearer the unused part of the Lindstrom Fairview cemetery.) 

Some unknowns that the project still faces include what the commission is able to pay to acquire Lindstrom City Hall. The price is unresolved right now. (See graphic above for purchase area proposed.)

Also unanswered is where do Lindstrom administrative offices relocate to?

Chief Schlumbohm observed that by adopting this re-use concept,  “Lindstrom is facing a huge lift.”

The subcommittee that recommended using city hall met about a dozen times in the last six months and the chief said they did "a lot of digging.”    The recommendation boiled down to financial viability, future needs of the department and addressing unmet standards in police operations.

Lindstrom Mayor Judy Chartrand said she and fellow police commissioner Brian Norelius will “still take heat for this” relative to issues that don’t even involve law enforcement.  But,  she said she is “confident we’ll get a good layout” for re-use and the time has come to advance this project.

Chief of Police Bill Schlumbohm also reminded the commission there will need to be an extended contract between the two cities,  to align the life of the bonds with the length of the joint powers law enforcement agreement.  The potentially $10 million loan (if city councils approve) requires a pay-off of 20 to 25 years.

As for the budget — Schlumbohm provided some estimated highlights of identified costs to the commission and assured commissioners their consultants Kraus Anderson have experience with law enforcement facility development, with access to a reliable database on materials.

Design details are slated to be produced by the end of October 2026.  Bidding would commence in December approximately.

All the options the subcommittee looked at have a timeline of 15 months, or construction completion by the end of 2027.  Lindstrom city operations will need to be completely relocated and running in a new location by the last quarter of 2027.

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