TRENTON, Mich. – Decaying conditions at a near-century-old police and fire station concern city leaders in Trenton.
They’re asking residents to consider supporting a $43.5 million bond proposal that will appear on the Aug. 6, 2024 ballot.
The money would go toward fire stations, police stations, and municipal building improvements.
The current public safety building is 97 years old. It was built in 1927 when the city had 4,000 residents. The current population is 18,000.
The city of Trenton produced a four-minute behind-the-scenes video showing buildings in various stages of decay.
It showed that the current police headquarters has crumbling walls, cracked floors, exposed wires, and missing ceiling tiles.
The restrooms need updating, the Emergency Operations Center has leaking doors, the elevator is inoperable, the jail facility is outdated, and the evidence rooms are unsecured.
Outside are signs of foundation issues, and the ramp is decaying.
The video showed the fire station’s list of issues: inadequate storage space for equipment, plumbing problems, and crumbling stairs.
The video also showed that the Westfield Activities Center has issues.
Most of the problems there are foundation-related concerns. IT also showed that a generator at the site is almost five decades old.
According to the city of Trenton, the bond debt would be paid off in 30 years. Based on a taxable value of $75,000, the average resident’s taxes would increase by $16 per month.
Regarding the improvements, city records show that $15 million of the bond would be dedicated to the fire station while $14 would go toward the police station.
Due to the age of the current public safety building, the city has determined that it is more cost-effective to build new facilities.
The rest of the money would go toward upgrades at other municipal buildings.
The city of Trenton has been hosting community meetings to discuss details about the proposed bond.