The City of North Little Rock has steadily grown to more than 66,000 residents. To keep pace with this growth, the police department gradually expanded and took over five campuses and four substations spread across the city, including a headquarters that was built in 1960. With over two hundred officers, space deficiencies became apparent and did not support current policing trends and needs.
Since police divisions had operated separately for over twenty years, a primary goal was to allow building design strategies to improve efficiency and to create staff unity. Parking layouts direct staff through one main entry. Officers then arrive in a two-story space that houses a large break/dining room, intended to unify staff through incidental contact. This central hub is located between departments to increase opportunities for interaction.
Another design goal was to increase public awareness that North Little Rock was an independent, thriving city and not an extension of its bigger counterpart Little Rock. Fortunately, the project site was located at the intersection of two major interstates. This allowed the design team to create a prominent, two-story façade that functions as a “billboard” for the city and its new justice center. Stunning night lighting allows portions the building to glow and change color to reinforce this important message after dark.
Finally, a state-of-the-art training facility is a major component of the design. Located across the building’s front, four training rooms of varying size combine with support space and warming kitchens to allow this facility to be used for both internal and external training events. The largest training room doubles as a community room that can be used after normal business hours, while a medium-sized room doubles as the city’s emergency operations center. Varying levels of security allow the police to control access as they require.
Architect/Firm Name: Hoefer Welker/RPPY