South Lake Tahoe police station to undergo small portion of needed renovations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A full list of needed renovations at the South Lake Tahoe police station would cost a few million dollars, but until a more comprehensive capital planning process is completed the Council voted to give them $225,000 to get started on the most immediate needs.

In November, the outgoing City Council voted to give the station $810,000 for safety modifications in the lobby, new flooring, asbestos removal, new ceiling tiles, ADA modifications and retrofits, new locker rooms, new kitchen/break area, lighting retrofits, and new paint. Instead, the new Council voted recently to a reduced scope project as they agreed the station needed much more than even the $810,000 version.

The “reduced scope” project includes lobby hardening modifications and new flooring

with some asbestos abatement only. New carpets have been needed for years and have been patched to a point where the frayed seams can longer be hidden. Much of the carpet is also rippled through offices and hallways, making it unsafe.

The "hardening" of the lobby will keep the records and dispatch staff safe behind thick, ballistic proof glass and walls.

When money allows the lobby wall by the restroom will be removed to allow for ADA improvements. Stains on the ceiling and walls and buckets on the floors are proof of an ongoing leaking problem throughout the building.

Lt. Dave Stevenson and others have figured out the roof system to prepare for water coming into the station. A new roof is needed as well as new ceiling tiles and paint. Water has also made its way into the evidence room which is now covered in tarps.

There are makeshift charging stations in the station since it was built long before the need for cell phones and other devices. The same situation is in the locker room as well which has very few electrical outlets.

Stevenson and the other officers and staff have been able to put bandaids on the radio and computer systems until new can be purchased.

During the budget and financial planning processes coming up in a few months, the exact amount the police department will be more clear and they'll then know how many more repairs can be completed.