The existing site at 911 Panther Way presents several challenges that make it less than ideal for constructing a new, modern police station. The property is actually composed of two parcels: one larger, mostly low-lying area that borders Franklin High School and St. Mary's Cemetery, and a smaller parcel used for visitor parking. While the station currently occupies only a small portion of the land, the overall site has constraints that limit expansion potential with the neighboring wetlands and buffers.

 

Another major issue is the topography and layout, the land is not uniformly buildable, and its proximity to other public facilities and wetlands minimizes the overall buildable areas and complicates traffic flow and site planning. Additionally, the existing infrastructure will not support the scale and functionality required for a next-generation public safety facility. The GIS plot plans don’t clearly reflect how the property is used, which adds ambiguity to any redevelopment efforts.

 

While the location is familiar and already in use, its physical limitations, fragmented parcels, and surrounding land uses make it a poor candidate for a full rebuild. Modern police stations must meet updated building codes related to structural integrity, accessibility (ADA), energy efficiency, and safety systems—including fire suppression, HVAC, and secure detention areas. The current facility was built under older standards, and retrofitting it to comply with today’s stringent codes would likely require extensive demolition and reconstruction, essentially defeating the purpose of a renovation.

 

The building’s footprint and internal layout do not support the spatial requirements mandated by contemporary design guidelines for today’s law enforcement facilities. These include secure zones, evidence processing areas, interview rooms, and community engagement spaces—all of which must be designed with specific circulation and security protocols that older buildings rarely accommodate.

 

The property itself includes two parcels with uneven terrain and limited buildable area. This restricts the ability to expand or reconfigure the structure to meet code-required setbacks, parking ratios, and emergency access routes. Bringing the existing station up to code would be so extensive and costly that it rivals or exceeds the expense of building a new facility altogether.