Time to change the station

Costa Mesa officials turned the first shovels of earth Monday for what will be a $27-million, two-and-a-half year expansion and renovation of the city’s main police facility.

The existing station was built in 1967, when the department had only 132 employees. Today, with 272 full- and part-time police employees, officials said they desperately need more space.

The expansion will add 11,423 square feet for property and evidence storage, crime scene investigations, animal control, and an auditorium and emergency operations center. About 75% of the existing facility also will be renovated, and 38 new parking spaces will be added outside.

Critics of the project have said the facility may not meet the department’s future needs, but City Manager Allan Roeder said the city will probably eventually grow its substations to spread police out in the community more.