PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Since May 2002, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office has occupied 30 Church Street in Prince Frederick, MD, also known as the Calvert House, as their headquarters. However, due to the nearly 106-year-old building’s structural deficiencies, the Sheriff’s Office and the County Administrator are looking for a new base of operations.
During their April 9, 2024, meeting, the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a strategic two-step process to direct staff to identify a new location for the Sheriff’s Office and to incorporate plans for the construction of a new facility into the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
According to the memo from County Administrator Julian M. Willis, “The County Administrator, working closely with the Deputy Director of General Services within the Department of Public Works, has undertaken an exhaustive examination of the entirety of County Government buildings and facilities. Through this comprehensive review, it has been unequivocally determined that the continued upkeep and escalating maintenance expenditures of the existing Sheriff’s Office headquarters is not economically viable
for the county.”
“The building is plagued by severe structural deficiencies, including compromised flooring, heating/cooling/ventilation problems, security, and evidence safekeeping concerns, nonfunctional operational layout, non-compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, decentralized operations, and persistent mold infestations.”
Willis noted that whenever they determined the mold infestations, they addressed it.
“It’s a problem of chasing the problem. I don’t want anybody to think if we see it we leave it there, we’re addressing the issue,” said Willis.
In March 2024, the Department of Public Works issued a request for a proposal for an architect to conduct an existing conditions report. According to the report, the overall building systems rating was poor, with only three out of the eleven categories were rated fair.
According to the staff’s presentation, the current location houses the Administrative & Judicial Services, Communications, Patrol, Evidence Processing & Storage, Crime Scene Unit, and a portion of Investigative Records. Due to space constraints, a portion of operations has been decentralized and moved offsite which includes Special Operations, Investigations, K-9 Training & Records Storage, and Fleet Maintenance “which increases and complicates emergency readiness logistics and overall Department communication and workflow.”
Willis stated that their vision for a new facility would be more like a compound instead of one big building, which will house all of the operations together instead of being spread apart.
Sheriff Ricky Cox also noted that this would free up some space for the county to repurpose or sell which could save the county some money as well.
No direct timeline or fiscal impact was determined during the meeting. Willis also made it clear that this would be a long-term process.
To watch the full meeting, click here.
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Build a new station where Calvert middle school use to be, oh wait we need more stores there that creates more traffic congestion and brings minimum wage jobs
You forgot a gas station. LOL
100% agree with Anonymous
KEEP CALVERT COUNTRY! So how much is this going to cost? I would like to hear the population projection for the next 10 yrs. It’s doubled since I moved here in the 80’s and I think it will double again in the next few years. Nothing is going to stop it. There will be many work arounds for TDRs, town centers, infrastructure difficulties (like roads) etc so I expect more people will be coming soon. Accept the things you can not change.
They can move elsewhere, I’ve lived here my entire life, we don’t need more stores that will all be empty as Amazon delivery and Walmart delivery expands and grows