The Lilburn Police Department will relocate to Lawrenceville Highway. On Oct. 12, the Lilburn City Council approved the purchase of property for a new police station and municipal court facility. The move will increase police presence on the city’s major thoroughfare and open up opportunities for the existing facility in Old Town.
The 9.73-acre location at 4572 Lawrenceville Highway is next to Lilburn Commons office complex, about 0.3 mile north of Indian Trail Road. The vacant site was chosen because it is already developed, all utilities are in place, and it is centrally located on the busy Lawrenceville Highway corridor.
“Relocation of the Lilburn Police Department and Municipal Court to the central business corridor will add public safety visibility, as well as accessibility for our citizens, visitors and business owners,” City Manager Bill Johnsa said.
The property purchase price of $1,000,000 and closing costs will be funded by the 2014 Public Safety SPLOST, the 1-percent sales tax approved by voters for special projects. A facility to house the police department and municipal court eventually will be constructed on the site, but no other details have been determined at this point.
“Our current headquarters building is too small and in need of constant repair. The department needs a larger and up-to-date facility so we can better serve our citizens and visitors,” Police Chief Bruce Hedley said. “I am excited to see a plan for a new police headquarters building coming together. I am grateful for the support given to us by our City Manager, Mayor, and Council.”
The police department and city staff currently share the Calvin Fitchett Municipal Complex next to Lilburn City Park. Construction is under way on a new city hall and Gwinnett County library on Main Street near Lawrenceville Highway. With the relocation of the police department and city staff, the old City Hall will be open to new possibilities.
“As an additional benefit, the current Lilburn police and courts complex in Old Town Lilburn can be repurposed as a community-based facility, adding to the vibrancy of Old Town and the surrounding area,” Johnsa said.