GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Michigan (WPBN/WGTU) — The process of potentially establishing a new emergency call and response center took a step forward this week.
On Wednesday, Grand Traverse County commissioners discussed what is known as “Project Alpha.”
It is a proposal to build a new emergency call center and emergency operations center on the county’s new Lafrainer campus.
Those working in the current premises said both departments had already outgrown their current locations and commissioners agreed something needed to be done.
“When both of our sites and facilities were designed, emergency management and even emergency communications were a whole different beast,” said Gregg Bird. “I remember when I came on board almost 12 years ago, it was an open concrete room with a dozen tables and chairs. There wasn’t even any AV equipment.”
Commissioners agreed to engage local firm Cunningham Limp as project manager and owner representative for the process.
It is a very early step in the process.
Cunningham Limp will now move forward with plans and a possible budget, at which point commissioners must decide whether to proceed or not.
This comes as the county evaluates all of its facilities and their future.
