Contractors for the Tacoma Police Department will begin laying the groundwork for construction of a new substation located at Stewart Heights Park beginning this week. Construction is scheduled to start on Weds., Jan. 27, and vehicle access through the park will be closed until April 1, 2009.

Vehicular access to the park needs to be closed for the contractor to remove approximately 175 feet of the existing roadway fronting the substation’s property and relocating it approximately 50 feet east of its current location. Reconstruction of the main roadway is expected to be completed and accessible to the public by April 1.

The placement of the substation was determined through public processes last year when Tacoma Police worked with the community and Metro Parks to identify the location which would provide the safest access in and out of the park for police responding to calls. The identified site requires the relocation of the main park entry road off S. 56th St..

Stewart Heights Park construction work is part of the 2005 Metro Parks Improvement Bond. The $2.25 million dollar appropriation for the park includes a new perimeter walking trail, picnic and playground areas, restroom facilities, parking improvements, and a new skate park, which has been relocated near the site of the new police substation.