Police facility purchase at 1709 East Highland Drive
Jonesboro
Summary
Police have been scattered across five temporary sites since the Justice Complex closed, including three community centers. Buying the Shelter Insurance building for $2.75 million (plus a $3 million loan at 4.83%) would consolidate police and give community centers back to the public — but one councilman wants the inspection and financial analysis before committing.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
$2.75 million purchase price plus closing costs, financed by a $3 million loan with about $55,000 monthly payments over five years.
Police staff get functional consolidated space, and residents regain use of Allen Park, Parker Park and the E. Boone Watson Center community facilities.
Taxpayers bear the $3 million debt service; skeptics worry about unforeseen repair costs like water intrusion.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Public Safety Council Committee — October 20, 2026
Police are fully moved into the new buildings and out of the E. Watson Center, which will be renovated and returned to community use. A grand opening is expected in about three weeks.
City Council — August 18, 2026
Police have been working out of five locations, including community centers, since the Justice Complex closed. Buying the former Shelter Insurance building for $2.75 million gives officers a permanent home and frees up community center space — including reopening the E. Boone Watson center.
Finance & Administration Council Committee — August 11, 2026
Police have been scattered across five temporary sites since the Justice Complex closed, including three community centers. Buying the Shelter Insurance building for $2.75 million (plus a $3 million loan at 4.83%) would consolidate police and give community centers back to the public — but one councilman wants the inspection and financial analysis before committing.
Jonesboro Committees Discuss Shelter Insurance Building as Second Police Station Location
Jonesboro Committees Discuss Shelter Insurance Building as Second Police Station Location Jonesboro Right Now
Finance & Administration Council Committee — August 6, 2026
The city wants to buy the Shelter Insurance building on Highland Drive for $2.75M to move 30+ police staff out of temporary locations scattered across five sites, freeing up community centers for public use. No vote was taken; it heads to the Finance/Appropriations Committee and then city council, with a projected August 21 closing.
City Council — July 21, 2026
Dr. Anthony Coleman pressed for a real plan before buying a shelter building for roughly $3 million for Jonesboro police, saying the department needs a full facility but he hasn't seen a plan.
Public Safety Council Committee — April 21, 2026
The city is weighing leases for temporary police headquarters space — a 41,000-square-foot downtown church building versus a 12,000-square-foot building on South Caraway Road — while planning to eventually build a new police station on Washington. A resident objected that the expense isn't necessary and hasn't been explained to the public.
Public Safety Council Committee — March 17, 2026
The police department is scattered across parks buildings and needs to consolidate into two buildings before 911 center construction forces them out of their Washington Street site — a building with a leaking roof that's needed repair for 12 years. Two lease options are on the table with very different price tags and trade-offs.
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