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The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce an “Open House” at their new facility.
PRESS RELEASE
From the office of:
Sheriff Bruce Andersohn
Anoka County Sheriff’s Office
13301 Hanson Blvd. NW
Andover, MN 55304
(763) 323-5000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2010
The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce an “Open House” at their new facility.
When: Saturday, April 17th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, 13301 Hanson Blvd. NW, Andover
History of Project:
On May 27, 2008, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to Stahl Construction to construct the new Anoka County Sheriff’s Office & Regional Forensic Lab. On June 26th, 2008, the Anoka County Sheriff's Office celebrated the formal commencement of construction during a ground breaking ceremony.
The new facility, a 135,000 square foot building is located in Andover at 133rd and Hanson Boulevard, houses the Sheriff’s Patrol Division, Sheriff’s Administration, Civil and Transport Units, the Criminal Investigation Division, as well as the Records Management, support and training functions.
The Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright County Regional Forensic Lab encompasses an entire wing of the facility. The Regional Forensic Lab will provide forensic services to the three counties operated under a Joint Powers Agreement, along with a partnership with Hamline University for student internships. The Regional Forensic Lab is the first of its kind in the State of Minnesota, and the partnership with an academic institution may be the first of its kind in the nation. The State of Minnesota’s bonding bill contained $3 million to assist in the construction of this portion of the facility. When fully completed, the lab will be capable of fingerprint analysis, drug testing, DNA analysis, as well as other forensic disciplines. Its operating costs will be split by the three counties.
The location of the facility in Andover, on its border with the City of Coon Rapids off Hanson Boulevard, makes it centrally located for access by local law enforcement agencies that rely on the Sheriff’s Office for certain specialized services.
The facility consists of three levels. The lower level includes a latent fingerprint lab, training rooms, underground parking for squad cars, and property storage. The main level houses the Patrol Division, the Regional Forensic Lab, a Crime Lab processing bay, employee locker rooms, a fitness room, and a large community room capable of being divided into multiple separate training rooms. A main level garage houses specialty vehicles for the SWAT Team, Water Rescue Unit, Recreational Enforcement and Special Operations vehicles.
The second story consists of the Criminal Investigative Division, Administrative Division and Justice Services Division (Civil & Transport Units) as well as support functions. The facility and the site allow for future expansion, which should meet the growth of the Sheriff’s Office well into the future.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office are excited about the new facility. In its 150+ year history of serving the residents of Anoka County, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office has not had a building that has been specifically designed to meet its operational needs.
That was the case until the new facility was completed and occupied in December of 2009. Captain James Stuart who was the Project Manager during the construction of the facility said, “We are very pleased to be moved into our new facility and are equally as excited to share it with the public that we proudly serve.”
Sheriff Andersohn and his staff extend our appreciation to the Board of Commissioners, as well as the citizens of Anoka County for their commitment to us and their ongoing support. Sheriff Bruce Andersohn also encourages the public to join us in a tour of our new home as we open our doors at the “Open House”.
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