Vermilion's new police station takes shape

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — On Wednesday, local officials, area law enforcement leadership and project partners gathered to mark a major construction milestone for Vermilion's new police station. As the project nears its final stages, roughly 75% complete, officials hosted an event, occurring at the Douglas Street construction site. They're approaching a phase to enclose interior walls. Before this happened, however, officials: • Signed an interior structural wall • Placed a dedication plaque there that will remain sealed within the building as construction continues A long time coming Mayor Jim Forthofer said the timing of the event was intentional, allowing the city to recognize those involved in planning, designing and funding aspects of this project before the next phase of construction begins. He noted the station represents a rare municipal investment for Vermilion. Forthofer said the police station is only the second municipal building constructed by the city in the past 46 years. The other? Vermilion Fire Station No. 1, also on Douglas Street, which debuted in 2020. Forthofer emphasized that the city has not engaged in frequent building projects but that the police station had reached a point where replacement was necessary. A police-first facility Forthofer also highlighted the historical significance of the project, calling it the first purpose-built police facility in the history of the Vermilion Police Department. Over the years, police operations have been housed in repurposed buildings, including a former public restroom downtown, a small library and the current station on Liberty Avenue, which was originally a Lawson's convenience store. He thanked city council members for approving the funding — a project estimated at $4.6 million — residents for supporting the project and the design and construction teams for their work. Several members of the police department who served on the project advisory team were also recognized for helping define the needs of a modern police facility. Following Forthofer, Vermilion police Chief Chris Hartung spoke, reflecting on what the new station represents for this department and its future. Hartung said the facility will provide officers and dispatchers with the space and infrastructure needed to do their jobs more effectively, noting that the department has long operated in cramped conditions. As he prepares for retirement, Hartung described the building as a meaningful step forward and a way to leave the department stronger for the next generation of leadership. After the remarks, attendees signed the interior wall, which will be sealed behind drywall as construction progresses. Take a step inside At the conclusion of the ceremony, Vermilion Detective Sgt. Scott Holmes — who is slated to become the city's next police chief — led a guided walkthrough of the building. He explained how the station is designed to function once operational. Holmes said the nearly 6,000-square-foot facility will more than double the size of the current station and address long-standing operational challenges. The building will include a full dispatch center with dedicated workstations and an integrated tornado shelter built to Ohio code, capable of sustaining staff during severe weather. The layout also includes separate "soft" interview rooms near the lobby to provide privacy for citizens filing reports or statements as well as secured interview and interrogation rooms for suspects. Holmes said the design improves safety, privacy and dignity for both the public and officers. Additional features include a booking area, short-term holding rooms, evidence processing and storage areas, an armory, patrol and detective workspaces, locker rooms with showers for male and female officers and a secure sally port that allows arrestees to be transferred from vehicles inside the building. Holmes said early design concepts were significantly over budget due to rising construction costs, requiring the city and design team to scale the project back to essential features. Nearly every aspect of the building was scrutinized to ensure it remained functional while staying within budget. Despite those constraints, Holmes said the building was designed with future growth in mind. The site allows room for potential expansion decades down the road, should the department grow, helping avoid the need for another relocation. Construction began in April. Holmes said early weather delays, including extended periods of rain and a high water table, slowed initial foundation work. But those delays were necessary to ensure the building's long-term stability. The design team anticipates the station will be substantially complete by February with police operations expected to move in sometime in March after technology installation, dispatch system transitions and final inspections are completed. Once open, the new police station will sit alongside Vermilion Fire Station No. 1 and near the Vermilion Schools campus, a location Holmes said strengthens coordination between police, fire, and school safety personnel. Vermilion officials said a formal dedication ceremony is expected closer to the building's opening next spring.