Jackson, MI (WKHM) — Residents traveling along West Parnall Road may have noticed significant activity at the site of the former Marino’s Building as construction officially began on the future home of Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Blackman Charter Township purchased the former Marino’s property and its surrounding 18.5-acre parcel in February 2023. Since that time, the property has been a township park, including the addition of a pavilion, vault restroom facilities, and soon-to-be-completed public pickleball courts.
Township and DPS officials say the existing building and surrounding parking lot will be turned into a modern Public Safety Complex (render pictured above) that will serve as the headquarters and administrative offices for the DPS.
The project includes an expansion of the current 7,145-square-foot structure with an additional 18,258 square feet of new construction. Once completed, the facility will total more than 25,000 square feet and will include:
- Administrative offices
- Training and conference rooms
- Modern locker room facilities
- A dedicated fitness and wellness center
- Secure evidence storage
- An 8,888-square-foot apparatus bay to house fire and rescue vehicles
The Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety has operated from its current headquarters at 1996 W. Parnall Road since 1991, when the department consisted of approximately 17 sworn officers and significantly fewer operational demands.
Since that time, officials say the department has evolved into a fully consolidated public safety agency, serving both Blackman and Leoni Townships for nearly 16 years and now staffs 43 Public Safety Officers providing police, fire, and EMS services.
Existing facilities have reportedly become increasingly outdated and overcrowded, limiting operational efficiency, employee wellness initiatives, evidence storage capabilities, and future departmental growth.
The new facility is also intended to position the department for future accreditation efforts. Officials say the department’s current facility cannot reasonably accommodate many of the physical and security requirements necessary to pursue accreditation without extensive and cost-prohibitive renovations.
Township officials and DPS leadership have worked collaboratively with Byron Schroeder of A&E Design on the project for several years, with the goal of constructing the new facility without asking residents to approve a new tax millage or bond proposal.
Officials say completing the project while maintaining fiscal responsibility has remained a top priority throughout the planning process.
Through a municipal bidding process, the vast majority of the construction work was awarded to Spring Arbor based Jones Construction Solutions, which will oversee all construction efforts.
Construction is expected to continue through 2027, with the new Public Safety Complex anticipated to be operational by the end of the year.
Township and department officials say they will continue to provide updates to the public as construction progresses.
