Efforts to Open New Police Station Advance
The Anthony Building, now home to the meter readers and lab technicians of the Department of Water and Power, is a step closer to housing the Valley’s second police bureau.
At its Wednesday meeting, the City Council’s Transportation Committee directed the city’s chief legislative analyst to negotiate a purchase price with the DWP for the Arleta Avenue building, which the DWP said was worth $50 million to $55 million, based on a recent appraisal.
The 300,000-square-foot building, whose brick facade and man-made waterfall stand out amid a crop of drab city edifices, could accommodate another police station, a Valley traffic division and fire prevention office, according to a report by city staff.
“We believe there’s an opportunity with the Anthony Building that should not be overlooked,” said Ronald Deaton, chief legislative analyst.
To pay for the building, committee chairman Richard Alarcon has proposed using part of the $142 million the city agreed to pay the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for construction of three subway extensions, two of which have since been suspended.
Alarcon’s plan would essentially swap funds, so that the money earmarked for the MTA would still be used for transportation projects, now paid by the city’s general fund. This move would free the general funds to buy the Anthony Building.
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