The City of North Little Rock police department and municipal court’s existing facilities were beyond their lifespan and no longer fulfilled their established purpose. Both entities had also outgrown their space.
Working with the police department and court staff, Hoefer Welker created a space plan and program to meet the day-to-day operational needs of both the police and court staff. The police department’s administration, support services, training, property, and investigations will all share the same building for the first time in over twenty years. Shared spaces such as a large dining hall, training rooms, and fitness facilities encourage communication and interaction across all departments.
The municipal court layout includes two courtrooms, judge chambers, support staff space, and increased security. The city will ultimately benefit from a 10-year payback on the system upgrade, and it will reduce electric bills by an average of $150,000 per year. Bipolar ionization systems and increased filtration in each HVAC unit were innovative ways our design team introduced air purification into the building.