News Flash

DURHAM, N.C. – The Durham Police Department (DPD), in conjunction with the Durham Emergency Communications Center, will hold a community grand opening event to officially open the new Durham Police Headquarters Complex on Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at 602 East Main Street. Free parking will be provided in the Human Services Building parking lot.

The entire Durham community is invited to take part in this historic occasion. The grand opening will include facility tours, food, entertainment and activities for all ages. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 12 p.m.

Fast Facts:

• The new Durham Police Headquarters Complex is necessary because the current headquarters no longer meets the critical needs of the DPD or the Durham Emergency Communication Center due to size, condition, configuration, and operational needs of the current building.
• The current Police Headquarters and Emergency Communications Center, located at 505 West Chapel Hill Street, was built in 1957 as offices for the Home Security Life Insurance Company. Since 1991, the City has occupied this space and it has become inadequate for current and future operations of the Police and Emergency Communications departments.
• The current headquarters building is one of the City’s most expensive to operate and maintain. It is the second largest energy-using building in the City’s portfolio, exceeded only by the City Hall complex. Additionally, the unique integration of the façade, structural, and mechanical systems make additional updates cost-prohibitive. Although a series of renovations have already taken place, façade, roofing, elevators, bathrooms, electrical and mechanical systems are all nearing the end of their useful life.
• Construction of the project, which was completed within the $71,352,251 budget, began in July 2016.
• The new facility, located on a 4.5-acre site, consolidates police functions currently housed in multiple locations as well as provides a secure 433-space parking deck for police personnel. The new 125,000 square-foot complex will include all police and emergency communications functions currently located at the existing police headquarters as well as Special Services (District 5) and Forensics Services.  
• The construction of the new Durham Police Headquarters Complex was overseen by the City’s General Services Department. The construction manager at risk was LeChase Construction Services, LLC and O’Brien Atkins Associates was the design team for the project.
• A total of 380 staff will be in the new building. This number includes 298 police staff and 82 emergency communications staff.
• The new facility is sized for growth to the year 2025, but additional site development or reconfiguration can accommodate the core needs of the headquarters and emergency communications center for the useful life of the building, which is expected to be 50
• years. A total of 466 staff is projected to be in the building in 2025. This number includes 366 police staff and 100 emergency communications staff.
• The new headquarters building will be LEED-certified and will be purpose-built to accommodate the space, technology, and equipment needs of the Police and Emergency Communication departments. The facility is the first purpose-built police headquarters in Durham’s history.
• Visitors will be able to park in a 57-space visitor-designated surface parking lot.
• An internet buy/sell safety zone will be located in the visitor parking lot.
• The Underutilized Business Enterprise participation in the project was 48 percent, including 19.6 percent minority and 28.8 percent women.
• The new facility is located in close proximity to other City and County services and on the GoDurham bus line.
• The building’s Multi-purpose room includes technology that will allow live broadcasting through the Durham Television Network. The room also includes a mult box (press box) set up with the capability to emit multiple outputs of a single audio source.
• The new headquarters building was designed with specific goals, including:

• activating Main Street and Ramseur Street
• connecting East Durham and downtown
• maintaining open space
• incorporating public art
• ensuring a pedestrian friendly environment
• minimizing surface parking
• prioritizing safety and security
• providing opportunities for future growth and development

The new facility will incorporate public art projects designed to:

• activate and enhance the community public space
• foster cohesion between East Durham and downtown
• support the Police Department’s mission to serve and protect
• reflect the culture of the Durham community