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The Elgin Police Department’s first purpose-built station officially opened to the public Wednesday morning, anchoring its law enforcement presence in the heart of the city.
Located at 204 Depot St., the $6.6 million, 11,027-square-foot building replaced the department’s neighboring century-old headquarters and became the first new building in Elgin’s historic downtown in more than 80 years, according to the city.
“This modern building reflects Elgin’s history and character, and it will be an asset as we grow,” said Police Chief Chris Noble. “Today we inaugurate more than a building. We celebrate a visible commitment to service, integrity and collaboration embedded in the heart of our city.”
Shaped by those who serve
From the start, the two-story station was designed with direct input from officers.
FGM Architects distributed surveys asking EPD staff to rank needs and preferences. Their responses shaped everything from the booking flow to the height of evidence-room cupboards, according to Noble.
“The officers literally sketched room layouts with us,” said architect Brian Mead. “Their fingerprints are on everything.”
One of several new additions, the station features a 20-seat training and meeting room equipped with cameras and remote learning technology. The suite allows the department to host in-service trainings and mini academies in-house—saving costs on travel, hotels and tuition.
“Being able to train 20-plus people in-house saves us time and money,” said Commander Todd Johnson during a tour of the site. “Having the right space means recruits and veterans alike feel valued.”
The Criminal Investigations Division also now has its own bullpen, private conference space and dedicated interview rooms to accommodate a spectrum of cases.
“Three of us once shared a 10-by-10 office,” said Detective Baldwin. “If one detective leaned back, the other two couldn’t get out. This is a big change.”
Modern tools
Technology is woven throughout the station’s design, Johnson added.
Evidence is logged via pass-through lockers, refrigerated vaults and a major-case walk-in room. Interview rooms record automatically and upload footage to secure servers and patrol officers have laptop and body-cam docks at every workstation.
Security has also improved, according to the department. A system of proximity-card readers replaced the old punch-code locks, safety glass prevents potential danger from reaching vital spaces and cameras monitor the department’s first set of holding cells.
“This is not a jail. It’s about efficiency and dignity, not detention,” Johnson said. “Just enough time to finish reports so deputies can take custody with everything in hand.”
In the back, a six-foot steel fence encloses a secure fleet lot with 18 parking spaces.
A gym, which was cut to manage costs, remains a future goal, department officials added.
Milestone years in the making
Planning began in 2022, when City Council approved funding through 2021A Certificates of Obligation and American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
Groundbreaking followed in March 2023, as schoolchildren pressed muddy handprints into the site under a rain-soaked tent. Construction wrapped in December 2024, and all divisions—dispatch, patrol and criminal investigation—were fully moved in by mid-January.
The project finished under budget after officials trimmed elements like a planned skylight during final design reviews, city officials added.
“This community has played a significant role in shaping who I am today,” Noble said. “I’m excited to now contribute to its future.”
Mayor Teresa McShan noted that the project reflects the city’s growing needs.
“I have lived in Elgin my whole life and I’ve seen many iterations of the police department,” McShan said. “I’m proud that we finally have a purpose-built station, so our officers have the resources they need to grow along with our city.”
Johnson added that staying on the same growth curve as the city is critical.
“It means we don’t fall behind and struggle to catch up later,” he said.
A civic celebration
Staying downtown was nonnegotiable for department leadership.
Noble and others said proximity to Veterans Memorial Park and local restaurants improves response times and visibility while enhancing foot traffic during events.
“I’m really pleased we could stay downtown and still be part of everything happening there,” Noble said. “The building itself is a recruiting tool. You walk in, see sunlight, wide halls, an elevator—things we didn’t have—and you feel like the city cares.”
The April 23 ceremony drew residents, city leaders and special guests, while officers donned ribbons in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and pins for autism awareness.
Pastor Steven Ward delivered the invocation, describing the station as “not just a building for them, Father—it is for us, a place to seek help in our time of need.”
Meanwhile, on Chief Noble’s bookcase sits a brass topper from the early days of construction—saved as a reminder of how far the department has come.
