The City of Battle Creek has signed an option agreement to consider purchasing the former Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center building at 393 E. Roosevelt Ave.
The city has considered this a potentially viable site for a new Police Department facility. The current station, at 20 N. Division St., was built in the early 1970s and staff face a variety of challenges due to the age and lack of space there. A new facility has been designed for the current department parking lot, across Patterson Way, but staff is committed to exploring all options.
The option agreement is for 120 days, approximately four months, while the city conducts due diligence to determine if the building will be a feasible Police Department location. During this time, architects and engineers will analyze the building, compiling drawings and preliminary cost estimates.
Staff will present this and the existing new building design to the City Commission for consideration during the agreement period. The commission will make the final decision on whether to move forward with the purchase of the former Southwest Rehab or with the new building construction.