Newbury Police Station

About

Location: Newbury, MA
Size: 9,500 sq. ft.
Status: Completed in 2021

The Town of Newbury’s new police station was designed to complement the largely residential village of “Old Town” within this rural seaside community. The new building began its life as the Town “Grange Hall”, originally housing the Town Offices on the main floor with the Police Department relegated to a walk-out basement below. Eventually, the Police Department occupied the entire building, which necessitated the relocation of the Town Offices to nearby “Byfield” village. Needing a proper facility of their own, the Town began a process to define a project vision. Countless hours of public discussion with many studies and planning exercises ensued. Subsequently, we were commissioned to assist the Town and ultimately brought the project through Town Meeting for funding.

The Town’s history as a farming community informed the modest style expressed by the shingle and clapboard exterior. The stone base reflects the civic nature of the building, lending proper texture and scale. While the building’s straightforward appearance was intended to minimize cost and simplify construction, the project had to contend with poor soils and invasive knotweed. Substantial ground improvements were made to reinforce the earth and support the building, and an eradication plan was implemented to remove the knotweed.

The main level of the police station includes the public lobby, dispatch center, patrol areas and secure area for processing and holding detainees. The upper level includes a training room (which doubles as a public meeting space), police administration, detective offices, evidence handling/storage areas, as well as men’s and women’s lockers. A full stair was provided to the attic, which was partially finished to allow for future expansion.

The project stands as testament that a beautiful building with sound, practical planning and fiscal responsibility could meet all the department’s goals and deliver on resident expectations.

Photography: Andy Caulfield

Scope

– Feasibility Study
– Schematic Design
– Design Development
– Construction Documents
– Construction Administration