John Gaccione

Date: 02/18/2022

Subject: KPD Space Search

From: The Memo Desk

Except for the unrepentant, it’s now clear to folks the Kensington Fire Department and the Kensington Police Department can not fit into the proposed remodeled Public Safety Building. So now what?

The Kensington Police Protection Community Service District must now find a suitable home for the new and improved Kensington Police Department and staff. There are a host of options, but regrettably most of them are a long way from optimal in addition to being costly.

In Kensington’s two commercial neighborhoods there are several spaces available for lease. Some of the owners are not motivated to work with the KPPCSD while others are not amenable to sharing the cost of upgrading the spaces. Besides all of that, many of the available spaces are not large enough. Phooey!

There have been suggestions the KPPCSD approach EBMUD about leasing a portion of their property near Berkeley Park Blvd. A modular building housing the KPD could be installed on the leased site. Similar arrangements have worked successfully in other communities. It is a bit of a long shot.

One of the least attractive options is KPPCSD using eminent domain to secure a property for public use. But what property in Kensington would have a sufficient size and location? Not to mention a reasonable price.

KPPCSD is short of funds. Instead of paying rent and making improvements to someone else’s property or purchasing a property and building a new facility, why not consider using property the KPPCSD already owns. The KPPCSD general manager noted repurposing building E and the unused Annex building with the addition of a modular building in the park could be the financially responsible way forward.

A possible impediment to adapting building E and the Annex could be the folks who are adamantly against any new construction in the park. They wish to preserve the park for recreational use only, even though there are no financially feasible sites for the KPD. They apparently view the park as sacrosanct.

Currently the Kensington Community Council and the Kensington After School Enrichment Program are in building E. The Annex building is unoccupied and has not been used for years. After it has been remodeled, the KCC and KASEP could be relocated to the remodeled Annex building. Once building E is remodeled and brought up to current codes it can house the KPD and staff.

We need to look at the limited choices available to us and decide what our priorities are. Financial considerations would surely top the list of priorities eliminating most of the present options. Can we get beyond holding on to divisive positions and start working toward a realistic solution?

As members of the old 1200 Club Faithful are fond of proclaiming, let’s “Put Kensington First”.

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” (Stephen Hawking)

Note: Disclaimer, contents may include shards of satire, best to proceed with an open mind.