The Arroyo Grande City Council has selected a potential site for a new police station.

Council members discussed possible sites for the new station at their Feb. 14 meeting. One possibility is a spot on Ash Street where there are existing maintenance buildings; the other is an empty lot on West Branch Street near the women’s center.

Both locations were discussed at length by the city Planning Commission on Feb. 7, when the commission voted 4-1 to recommend the West Branch Street location. The City Council also decided to go with that location. Building costs for the new police station are estimated at $7.5 million.

If it’s selected, the new station would be placed in a one-story, 14,500-square-foot building with a phased development plan. This site could also possibly house a city gym and recreation center.

The Ash Street location sits on an existing maintenance yard. It would include a two-story building with 10,500 square feet of space. The police station would also utilize several existing utility sheds and buildings for additional storage.

The council discussed the benefits and pitfalls of both options, with several council members voicing concerns that the Ash Street location needs more examination before the city completely writes it off.

Commissioners also raised concerns about the proximity of the West Branch Street location to St. Patrick’s school, the inclusion of a city rec center (which the mayor clarified would not be funded through the proposed bond, but rather through private donations), and the amount of space that location would provide should the Grover Beach Police Department combine with Arroyo Grande. City officials believe combining the departments would save each department an estimated $400,000. ∆