The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce the opening of the new Parkway Public Safety Center, 600 E. Park Street. The Parkway station became operational on March 20, 2009, when police officers and firefighters began responding from the new location.
The Redwood Public Safety Station, which opened October 10, 2008, has been a tremendous benefit to residents in south Grants Pass. In fact, in the short time since it first opened, our firefighters have responded to over 250 calls for service in that district. Additionally, residents have realized improved police response from officers working from the Redwood station.
Bond Measure
In 2006, city residents approved a bond measure to construct two new stations, purchase three pumpers and replace the condemned training tower at the Hillcrest Station. The original bond measure was approved with an estimated tax rate of $.53/$1,000. However, City Administration and Finance Staff worked diligently to ensure the City received an excellent bond rating, which resulted in a lower interest rate and cost savings to the City. The actual tax rate came in lower at a rate of .5196/$1,000. The debt service repayment schedule was also planned so that beginning in assessment year 2009, the rate drops from $.51/$1,000 to $.41/$1,000, with the rate remaining close to $.40/$1,000 until the debt is retired. We are pleased to report that we continue to track under budget with regard to the bond project.
Parkway Public Safety Center - Now Open
The new Parkway Public Safety Center serves as a key response station for police and fire to areas of both east and south Grants Pass, as well as our commercial and business area. The facility is the primary point of deployment for approximately half of the city police officers assigned to uniformed patrol. In addition to firefighters and police officers, the city fire prevention bureau is now operating from the facility. Some final construction work is expected to continue for the next month and additional emergency equipment will be transferred in the next few weeks. A formal community open house is planned for early summer
