AUBURN — Officials will make a decision soon on one of four options for upgrading Auburn’s public safety facilities, likely including a new joint police and central fire station on Minot Avenue.

If approved by the City Council by late August, the issue could go before voters in November. Cost estimates for the four options range between $36 million and $47 million.

If ultimately approved, the Police Department would move out of Auburn Hall which, according to an earlier report, was only meant to be a five-year solution until a headquarters could be built. The department has been based at Auburn Hall for 13 years.

Most options presented to officials Monday call for a new combined police and fire headquarters as well as a new Engine 2 fire station.

A previous study found a range of issues with the city’s buildings, including inadequate space, functionality, separation from hazards, and living quarters that don’t accommodate a diverse workforce.

The City Council formed a public safety building committee last year to look at options. The options presented Monday include upgrading all public safety facilities, building a new Engine 2 and public safety campus, or building a new Engine 2 and renovating the Minot Avenue building to include police.

The city also previously acquired land next to the Minot Avenue station.

Last year, initial cost estimates put the project at $27 million, with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins securing $2.5 million toward the project earlier this year in the fiscal 2022 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.

The least costly option, building a new Engine 2 and renovated Central Station, at $36.2 million, was not favored by officials Monday. Councilor Joe Morin called it “too much of a half-measure,” considering that a new Engine 2 and entirely new public safety campus on Minot Avenue is estimated at $38.2 million.

Upgrading all public safety facilities, including Engine 5, is estimated at $47.8 million.

Asked Monday, Police Chief Jason Moen said for the Police Department, “regardless of population growth, this has to happen.”

“If the population didn’t grow by one person, we’re at our max,” he said.

City Clerk Sue Clements-Dallaire said the issue could be added to the November ballot if the plan was approved by the council by late August.

The building committee is expected to make a final recommendation this month, and the City Council will discuss the issue again in July.

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