New police department should be finished by April
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Wharton Police Department could be in its new headquarters as early as April.

City Manager Andres Garza Jr. said Thursday renovations on the new 1407 N. Richmond Road facility are going well, and the project could wrap-up within the next 90 days.

"We'll have a building there that will be in use by the police department and municipal court for years to come," Garza said. "It's looking good."

The exterior of the building has already begun its transformation. A circular driveway has been taken out and a covered walkway shortened. Landscaping and parking areas have also been re-designed. There's a lot more still to come, Garza said.

"In the next month or so, we will see it taking a whole new shape," he said.

The project is a cooperative effort between city crews and hired contractors. City employees have done the bulk of the demolition, both inside and outside, and are taking the lead on most other aspects of the project. The Wharton City Council Monday will consider bids for the interior wall coverings and plumbing, both of which will be hired out to contractors.

Garza said the building, once complete, will be state-of-the art and serve as the communications hub of the entire city. Not only will it contain police dispatch consoles, it will also serve as the central location of the city's phone system, which will be upgraded to a Voice Over Internet Protocol system. "That allows you to use your computer as your phone," Garza said, adding it will result in a cost savings in comparison with the current system.