Full Notification

Enid Police Department, 301 W. Owen K. Garriott, will host an open house 1-4 p.m. Sunday, May 1st, 2011 giving the citizens who support the department a chance to see the newly renovated station.

The renovation began in August 2009, following a year and half of planning. The original plan was to renovate a single portion of the department but when bids came in unexpectedly lower than projected, other projects were added.

“It turned out to be one of the best times to build because people needed the work,” said Chief Brian O’Rourke. “We were able to do a lot more with what money we had.”

The original plan was for a $2.8 million project that focused on a single area of the departments. The bid selected came in at $1.47 million less than expected.

With the remaining money, plans for remodeling restrooms for ADA compliance, a renovation of the uniform services division, a renovation of the lobby, an addition of a fitness and training center and new furniture were undertaken.

All told, the renovation cost $38,000 less than first projected, added an additional 14,000 square feet of useable space and took about a year and half to complete.

“There is not a doubt in my mind this is one of the best facilities in the state,” O’Rourke said. “There are a lot of changes under way and we want the public to be a part of that.”

The funds for the project came from the Public Safety Sales Tax and it took four years before enough tax was collected for the project.

O’Rourke encouraged those whose support made the renovation possible to attend the open house for a behind-the-scenes look at the department.

“As a member of the community, we want to share with citizens what we’ve gotten,” he said. “The goal for the department was to give officers a place that is professional and they can be proud of. It was also the department’s goal to give citizens a department they could be proud of.”

The chief said he also wanted to thank his officers and the citizens for their patience during the renovation. He also wanted to thank Enid’s city commission for its support during the project.

“We had the full support of the city council during the planning process and building process,” O’Rourke said.