Mayor Justin Bibb, alongside the City Council and the Cleveland Division of Police, has announced a significant $21 million investment aimed to upgrade the city's five police district buildings. "Our officers dedicate countless hours to serving our neighborhoods, and they deserve facilities that are welcoming, safe, and fully equipped to meet the needs of both our officers and the communities they protect," Mayor Bibb stated in a report found on the City of Cleveland's official website. The initiative is a part of the Mayor’s Raising Investment in Safety (RISE) Initiative, a strategy to enhance public safety through investments and partnerships.
Key to this initiative is the involvement of Leopardo Energy, known for sustainable building practices. Leopardo Energy's President, Rob Vollrath, described the project, according to a statement obtained by the City of Cleveland, "We’re not just fixing buildings — we’re strengthening the Cleveland community and becoming more resilient by meeting clean energy goals, cutting costs and creating jobs." The construction, starting in November, will include roof and window replacements, installation of new heating and cooling systems, and the addition of solar panels. The project intends to keep police stations operational during the renovations with minimal disruptions to service.
Notwithstanding the sizable upfront costs, the funding strategy for these enhancements relies on the savings generated from the subsequent decrease in energy and operations expenditures. In a statement obtained by the City of Cleveland's official publication, Leopardo Energy guarantees $48 million in savings over the next twenty years, with a commitment to pay the city the difference should the savings not materialize. This fiscal approach has been utilized in previous projects throughout Northeast Ohio, marking this as Leopardo Energy's 64th such initiative nationwide.
Furthermore, the modernization effort is expected to create 376 local jobs and has received approval from the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio (FOP) Lodge 8. According to a statement from Jim O'Malley, FOP President, "This move is long overdue and will help improve the working conditions for the hard-working men and women of the Division of Police," the City of Cleveland stated. The hiring is to be led by the Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council, ensuring that all work remains in the hands of Cleveland’s skilled workforce.
In addition to the infrastructure investment, the Bibb Administration is actively pursuing other public safety measures. These include increased pay for police officers, the implementation of traffic calming solutions, the Mayor's Office of Prevention, Intervention & Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults initiatives, and expansion of the SAFE SMART CLE camera sharing program. All of these endeavors align with the Mayor's RISE Initiative, aiming to collectively elevate the efficiency and effectiveness of public safety within Cleveland.
