A minute with the Mayor: Police Department proposal is an incredible opportunity for Norwich

By Mayor Peter Nystrom,

The proposal to build a new headquarters for the Norwich Police Department in the iconic Chelsea Groton Bank building on Main Street is ambitious – a big, bold, and exciting idea. If successful, the project will make an enormously positive – and lasting – impact on an essential part of our community – our resilient Downtown.

Potential location for Norwich Police Department headquarters

This project is a rare opportunity to improve the look and feel of our city while building on the momentum that we all see Downtown.

The transformation of the former YMCA building by Mattern Construction is well underway. This project will bring economic activity and visitors to Norwich, beyond just the company’s employees.

The reclamation and revival of the Reid & Hughes building continues, with more and more progress every month. It will not be too much longer until there are commercial and residential tenants in this majestic building.

Further down Main Street, more apartments are being completed – and these future residents will want places to eat, shop, and spend time and money, spurring more and more small businesses to open or expand in Norwich.

And just around the corner, the ‘Crown Jewel’ of Downtown Norwich, our harbor and marina, is attracting more interest and activity than it has seen in a generation.

The opportunity to add a desperately needed, modern, police station into a more active and vibrant area would only accelerate all that is underway in our Downtown. Bringing the men and women of the Norwich Police Department closer to the community that they protect and serve every day will be a welcome addition to any economic development plan.

To be clear, the proposal is not without its challenges. While the City Council approved the purchase of the building at a very reasonable price, the cost to retrofit and expand a historic building to meet the needs of today’s police force in an urban environment is not without challenges – both logistical and financial.

But I firmly believe that the clear benefits of this project far outweigh the costs and hurdles that must be considered. And I’m willing to bet that many Norwich residents feel the same way.

Bringing our police station to the middle of our Downtown is a perfect example of what makes Norwich a special place. It is recognizing and honoring our past with an eye on our collective future. It is evaluating big opportunities very carefully – and not being afraid to make tough decisions and smart investments.

A modern police station in an iconic building amid a Downtown revival is something we can all be proud of and excited about.