PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING

Construction of the Port Washington Public Safety Building began in 2025 following more than two years of planning and design. Designed by Bray Architects and constructed by C.D. Smith, the approximately $32 million project represents a long-term investment in the safety and well-being of the community. The project also emphasized the use of local trades and contractors, supporting the regional workforce while creating a facility designed to serve the community for the next 50 years.

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Strategically located at the intersection of two major thoroughfares, the Public Safety Building provides quick access to all areas of the city. The facility serves as the headquarters for Port Washington's full-time Police Department and combination Fire Department, bringing public safety services together under one roof while enhancing coordination, communication, and operational efficiency.

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Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern public safety, the building features secure police operations and evidence storage areas, modern apparatus bays, administrative offices, emergency operations capabilities, and dedicated training and meeting spaces. Separate living quarters and work areas support around-the-clock staffing, while dedicated firefighter decontamination facilities help reduce exposure to carcinogens and promote the long-term health and safety of personnel.

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The building also serves as the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), providing a centralized location for coordinating response and recovery efforts during major storms, large-scale emergencies, and other incidents affecting the community. Modern communications infrastructure, enhanced security systems, backup power, and resilient building systems help ensure that critical public safety operations can continue even during challenging conditions.

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The facility includes a state-of-the-art live-fire training center, the only facility of its kind in Ozaukee County. It provides firefighters with the opportunity to conduct realistic, hands-on training in a controlled environment, strengthening emergency preparedness for Port Washington and neighboring communities while reducing the need to travel outside the county for live-fire training.

Beyond supporting today's emergency services, the Public Safety Building is an investment in the future of Port Washington. The modern facility provides an environment that helps attract and retain highly qualified police officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals while providing the space, technology, and resources necessary to adapt to the community's changing needs for decades to come.