MT. VERNON, IL — The Mt. Vernon City Council took the first step to bringing a news building to the Mt. Vernon Police Department. A request for proposal for architectural services that will include a needs analysis was granted at Monday night’s meeting. A company will gather information from those that work at the MVPD building for the needs analysis, which will in turn be a crucial factor in the planning of a new building.

Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis says there is problems with efficiency as well as security at the current building that the MVPD moved into in 1979.

Councilman Ray Botch was a part of city government in 1970 when the MVPD was in the utility department building. He says in 1977 the city spent $300,000 to buy and retrofit the already 40 year old building at that time, the PD is currently still residing.

The council is targeting the end of 2022 for a completion date.