The Town of Columbus is moving forward with an expansion to its police department building, with the bid opening scheduled for next Wednesday, May 4.

Columbus Town Council met Thursday, April 21 and heard from town manager Tim Barth that a prebid meeting was scheduled for last Friday.

The town is planning on constructing an addition to the current police department, adjacent to town hall, as well as renovating the current building.

The addition will allow for multiple exits as well as a second restroom with a shower. The current police chief’s shower will become an area with lockers for employees. A stairwell to the basement will also be added to the main level.

The basement will include a secure location for the department’s armory, storage for evidence and a vehicle bay, particularly motorcycle storage.

Outside renovations will include pavement from the current parking lot to the rear of the building to increase the number of available parking spaces. The paving has been discussed to be phased to help reduce the costs.

Estimates for the expansion as of the end of February included between $170,000 and $228,000, not including the paving.

Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield told council during a Feb. 25 budget work session that the police department moved from the basement of town hall to the adjacent four-bedroom house in 2010, with the expansion project beginning in 2012.

The police department worked with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) for funding but discovered later that the project did not meet requirements for a grant.

The current police department has no evidence storage, one restroom and no rear exit to the building.

The construction bid opening for the project is scheduled for 2 p.m. on May 4. Columbus Town Council plans to review the bids during its May meeting.