Proposal would have converted portion of community center into police station

GUSTINE – City Council members last Tuesday nixed a staff proposal to remodel a portion of the Al Goman Community Center into a police station.

While agreeing that the department needs a significant upgrade from its cramped current quarters, council members were adamant in their agreement that a remodeled Goman Center was not the solution.

They directed staff to instead continue exploring options and to determine what other properties are available which might fit the department’s needs.

Police Chief Richard Calderon had come before the council with a recommendation that the Goman Center be remodeled, with about one-third of the space converted for use as a police station. The remainder would still be available for rental as a community center.

That option, he said, would have more than doubled the current space while leaving ample room for the private events that would be held next door in the community center. With a budget of $350,000 it was the most economical of the three options explored to date, Calderon said, and it would have given police a much-needed presence in the park.

“The concept behind this is to improve the Goman Center and the environment in the park,” Calderon told the council, adding that police have received numerous complaints about activity in Schmidt Park, where the community center is located.

Council members, however, weren’t about to give the idea a green light.

“The Goman Center was built as a community center and should stay a community center,” council member Joe Oliveira stated. “If you cut the size you effectively restrict groups (from using the facility), and parking is a problem.”

“I do not want to see anything change in the Goman Center,” agreed council member Bart Garcia.

Mayor Rich Ford said that his initial understanding was that the Goman Center alternative for a police station involved an expansion of the building – not a reduction in the community center space.

“Obviously its unanimous that the Goman Center (alternative) is not going over well,” he pointed out.

Council member Frank Amaral pointed out that the cost of placing a modular building on city-owned property was only estimated at about $50,000 more than the Goman Center conversion – and would not result in the lost space in the community center.

He also questioned whether it would be more cost-effective to move city offices rather than the police department. That question has been debated at length by staff, City Manager Margaret Silveira said, and the conclusion was that moving the police department is most feasible.

Calderon, however, questioned whether the modular alternative represented a long-term option for the city.

“If we’re going to spend money now, build something looking to the future,” he commented. “A modular is not built for 20-plus years.”

The cost of constructing a new building – the third option listed on the staff report – was estimated at $600,000.

Some in the audience also urged the city to look to long-term needs, and to maintain the visibility of a downtown police station.

Ford said that, given the economic downturn, the prices of vacant properties downtown may be within the city’s budget.

“I’d like to see us continue to move forward, find a location and make a plan, then continue to find the funding,” the mayor stated.

Calderon said Friday that he had already spoken to one real estate agency, inquiring about what downtown properties may be available which meet the department’s needs.