ShawneeDispatch.com

After years of planning, it is almost time for the big move.

The new Shawnee Justice Center complex at Johnson Drive and Renner Road is all but ready for its occupants, as the city completes installation of furniture and Information Technology components this month. All three city departments moving into the building - fire, police and municipal court - plan to make their moves in September.

The fire department will be the first to move, planning Sept. 3 as the day for firefighters to leave the old station on Midland Drive, near the intersection of Barker Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway, for the new Station No. 72.

"We plan to get the move done in one day," Jeff Hudson, fire chief, said.

New furniture was ordered for some areas in the station, but most of the old station's furniture must be moved: a modular work station, weight-room equipment, maintenance equipment, day room and kitchen furniture and the self-contained breathing apparatus maintenance, repair and fill station.

The police department will move slowly, division by division, beginning Friday, Sept. 5, when the administration, investigative division and professional standards division begin the move to the new building.

But Jim Morgan, police chief, said the public should continue to go to the current police station at 65th Street and Quivira Road for any of its needs until Sept. 12, the day the records unit will move out to the new station, along with the patrol division. The public won't be able to obtain records on that day due to the move, but the records division will reopen Monday, Sept. 15, at the Justice Center.

The final and most complicated move will be Sept. 17 when dispatchers will transition to the new building. Morgan said because dispatchers need to be operating at all times, there will be dispatchers working at both buildings during the day of the move. He said the public could come to either building on that day to file a police report.

Throughout this two-week move, the police department will be slowly moving the evidence storeroom on its own because it is necessary to maintain the chain of custody for evidence. On Sept. 20, the department plans an open house and ribbon cutting at the Justice Center.

Morgan said it may be confusing, but signs will be posted at both buildings directing people where to go. Information also will be available on the city's Web site.

"We're trying to make this as easy and convenient for the public as we can," Morgan said.

If anyone is confused about which location to go to for a particular police service, Morgan said they should just call the department at 631-2155.

The municipal court will be the last to move to the new building from its current cramped offices and the City Council chambers in City Hall. Nichi Larson, court administrator, said the courts would be closed Thursday, Sept. 25, and Friday, Sept. 26, as the department moves, making Monday, Sept. 29, the first day of court services at the new building.