Under Indiana’s building code, newly constructed police stations and fire stations have to be built to conform with Category 4 risk standards.
That’s the highest standard in the code. Category 4 includes facilities like emergency surgery facilities, and power-generating stations—essential facilities that are needed in response to disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes.
So, at least for new construction, it’s worth considering two kinds of value that are connected to compliance with Category 4 standards.
First, there’s legal value that comes from compliance with the requirements.
Second, there’s practical value attached to a building that has a better chance of surviving a tornado or an earthquake.
Bloomington’s city council is currently faced with a decision that should focus not just on legal value, but also practical value. Here’s the question:
Is renovating and expanding the existing police station on 3rd Street a better or worse value proposition than purchasing part of an existing building at a different site, and renovating that space for combined police and fire use?