Operations expected to start this summer at downtown police station

A $3.6-million precinct-type downtown police presence is expected to begin operations this summer, Nicholas Rosset, chair of the Downtown Association, confirmed to the business group's membership this week.

Speaking at the association's annual general meeting on Wednesday night, Rosset said he's been advised that preparations for outfitting the downtown station have begun.

The new operation is expected to eventually employ 17 officers.

Staffing will be dependant on availability of trained officers from the Ontario Police College in Aylmer, Ont., Rosset said.

Rosset said nothing this week about the proposed location for the core-area precinct, but sources confirmed to SooToday on Thursday that the focus of leasing negotiations is still the former Algoma Central Railway station in Station Mall's parking lot.

As SooToday exclusively reported in January, the former ACR ticket sales and gift shop building at 129 Bay St. offers an abundance of parking for police vehicles and rapid access to the city's core via Bay and Dennis streets.

"With the approval of the increase in the police budget, SSM Police Services is seeking 17 officers for a downtown division and building downtown to oversee operations," said an annual report distributed at Wednesday night's Downtown Association annual general meeting.

"The rollout of this plan will take place over the next three years. The [Downtown Association] will be in close communication
with SSM police during this rollout period," the report stated.

"They're working on the lease agreement right now," said Ward 4 Coun. Marchy Bruni, who represents the city on the local police services board.

"Once the lease agreement is completed then there should be more information coming out," Bruni said.

"Right now, it's confidential. We want that lease settled and signed, and go from there."