Plans for the new Willoughby Police Station completed

Willoughby, along with Bowen and Associates, the city’s consultant, is moving forward with the design of the new police station.

“Our team meets regularly and the schematic design is now complete, which includes plan layouts, furniture selection and finishes,” said Mayor Robert Fiala.

The schematic design drawings will be presented to the City Council at its June meeting, Fiala said. The tender documents will be published towards the end of July, containing plans, specifications and budgets.

“We are particularly excited about our state-of-the-art jail and dispatch center, where some of the most advanced technology and dispatch equipment will be installed,” Fiala said.

Willoughby’s security levy increased from 75% to 25% last year and will help fund the renovation of the Meister Media building into a state-of-the-art police department, dispatch center and prison.

“We hope to start construction sometime in late fall,” Fiala said.

Meister Media will continue to conduct business from Willoughby, according to Joe Monahan, president and chief operating officer of Meister Media Worldwide.

“We are moving to K and D Properties on Kirtland Road by the Kirtland Country Club,” Monahan said. “The plan is to move there sometime in July.”

Monahan said Meister Media is the oldest family-run business in Willoughby.

“We love Willoughby and are excited to continue our legacy here while contributing to Willoughby’s economic development,” he said.

It was two years ago when the city began studies for the new train station. The current building that houses the department was built in 1975 and, other than routine maintenance, not much has been invested in the building, Fiala said.

The new police station would be more centrally located in the city and allow for easier entry and exit.

“It is extremely important that our police force has a state-of-the-art facility to function,” Fiala said. “Our current facility is completely undersized and outdated.”