Frequently Asked Questions

The Department has outgrown their current space at the Municipal Services Building (210 Progress Drive). The current facility was purchased and renovated in 2014 - 2015 to house the newly formed Village Police Department following dissolution of the joint Town - Village Department. The renovation of the existing building was designed to adequately house Police operations for about ten years of anticipated growth. The facility no longer meets the operational needs and security standards recommended for modern law enforcement.

The station will be constructed on the Village-owned property at the corner of Progress Drive and Bonnie Road, adjacent to the Municipal Services Building/current police station.

Yes, there will be (at least) two Public Information Meetings (PIM) dedicated to this project. Residents can provide input and ask questions about the project. The first PIM will take place October 29th, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Village Hall. The second PIM will be slated for early in 2025 as the project nears final design/review. Residents are also welcome to provide comments/feedback to the Village Board at the beginning of any Board meeting. Alternatively, you may submit written remarks to the Board at: villageboard@village.cottage-grove.wi.us. Monitor the Village website and social media for more information on date, time, and location of PIM #2.

It will improve public safety, aid in recruitment and retention, and provide a more efficient working environment for officers. There are also plans to create a welcoming meeting space for community interaction and engagement within the facility.

The current estimated cost is $20,700,000. The Village’s Financial Management Plan includes a total project budget of $23,220,000. There will be updated cost estimates during the design phase of the project. Ultimately, the project will need to be publicly bid, and the Village Board will need to award the bid (which will determine final cost).

The project will be funded with Village debt issuance. The approximate gross tax impact of the project on the current average assessed home ($315,000) is projected to be about $300. However, the Village has strategically planned the implementation of this project to coincide with: 1) the current police station/Municipal Services Building debt being paid off in full; and 2) the Village’s tax increment district #5 (a.k.a. Commerce Park and surrounding commercial area) is closing in ’26, which will greatly benefit the tax base. These significant financial events, combined with the Village’s continued surge in new taxable value driven by development, ultimately leads to an estimated projected net tax impact (for the average assessed home) of about $60 relative to the new Police Station (for 2026 taxes payable/due in 2027).

Construction is planned to commence in August of 2025, and be substantially complete by September 2026. For a more detailed timeline, please visit the webpage dedicated to this project: www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/PoliceStation.

The vacated offices within the station will likely be utilized by other Village departments as the community continues to grow. Final plans for the old station will be determined at a later date by the Village Board.

The Village studied Police Station space needs to accommodate 20+ years of growth, however the cost was significant (about $35 Million) and deemed financially infeasible due to tax impact and debt capacity. The new station will be sufficient for the current department’s needs and anticipated growth for the next 10-15 years. The design will include scalable features and adaptable spaces and will be designed specifically to accommodate a planned future expansion (when needed). The total useful life of this facility (when factoring in future expansions) is 40+ years.

Preliminary plans for the station include a community meeting space.

Community members can stay informed by checking the Village’s dedicated project page for this facility: www.vi.cottagegrove.wi.gov/PoliceStation. You may also track the project by subscribing to Village notices/news flashes via our website, attending public meetings, and following the Village's official social media channels.

For more information, residents can contact the following staff: Police Chief Mark Garry, at (608) 839-4652 or mgarry@cottagegrovepolice.org; or Village Administrator Matt Giese, at (608) 839-4704 or mgiese@villageofcottagegrove.gov.