Annapolis (December 11, 2003) - Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens, Police Chief P. Thomas Shananhan and the Southern District Police Community Relations Council celebrated the completion and opening of the new Southern District Police Station last night in Edgewater.  Construction on the building was started in May 2002.

Built to replace the 50 year old station on Virginia Avenue in Edgewater, the building features 15,000 square feet (3 times the size of the former building), a 160-seat public meeting room, a helipad, an updated telephone and communication system and improved holding and booking areas.

"This station will provide our officers with the modern and convenient resources they need to serve this community and support our citizens," Ms. Owens said.  "Effective public safety starts in our neighborhoods.  This wonderful public facility in the Southern District neighborhood will only enhance the strong partnership between our officers and the community."

This project is the first facility in a series of Capital Improvement Projects to support a living, green roof.  It is perhaps the only such police station in the Country with this environmental feature.  The living roof, which was planted in October 2003, covers 5,000 square feet of the building and will capture and use rainwater.  The project also represents the County's on-going implementation of innovative stormwater management in the form of bio-retention facilities.  The procedure will further reduce the impact of stormwater on the South River and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

The cost of the project was $5,068,000.  Work was performed by Atec Contracting.