Old Hannaford Site Will Most Likely Become Augusta Police Station

Over the last year, we have heard a lot about the need for a new Augusta Police Station.  Months ago, it was narrowed down to three locations.  Now, it looks as though the decision has been made.

According to the KJ, in a Tuesday workshop, Augusta City Councilors agreed to pursue the old Hannaford grocery store on Willow Street in Augusta as the new police department location.

The group cited the site's location, across the Kennebec River from Water Street (downtown), as one of the selling points.  The location is centrally located and is on a site that has not been developed since the grocery store moved to its new location.  Additionally, it does not have the physical limitation of the other proposed sites.

Showing that sometimes things come full circle, the Willow Street location is across the street from where the police station used to be located.

The project is expected to cost around $20 million.

The city councilors compromised as a way to move the project forward.  The Willow Street site not only emerged as the first choice for some, but also as the only site out of the three that wasn’t rejected by any councilors.

Augusta City Councilors could vote on the project as soon as tonight (February 18th).

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