By Sarah Schulz
sarah.schulz@theindependent.com

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Independent/Lane Hickenbottom (From left) Grand Island Police Chief Steve Lamken jokes while providing yellow police tape to be ceremoniously cut by Mayor Margaret Hornady and Hall County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bud Jeffries during the dedication of the Grand Island/Hall County Law Enforcement Center Friday. Independent/Lane Hickenbottom About 130 people were in attendance for the dedication of the 45,000-square-foot Law Enforcement Center. Click Thumbnails to View

At a dedication ceremony for the new building Friday, Grand Island Police Chief Steve Lamken thanked his wife, Mary, for dealing with the restless nights and long hours he spent on the project. There were many nights he was kept awake with worries about the new building.

Police Capt. Pete Kortum also thanked his wife, Mary, for her patience.

"I'd be tossing and turning and she'd ask what was wrong and I'd tell her 'I'm just worried about Steve and Rob (Falldorf)'," he said.

Kortum kept the laughs coming during the ceremony but also took the time to seriously thank everyone involved with the construction, including police Capt. Robert Falldorf, who acted as project manager for the venture's duration.

A series of city and county officials spoke during the dedication before Mayor Margaret Hornady and Hall County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bud Jeffries used oversized scissors to cut crime scene tape in a law enforcent twist on the traditional ribbon cutting.

"You don't have a facility like this unless you have a city and a county that are growing and vibrant," Kortum said.

He, along with the other speakers, thanked the Wilson Estes Police Architects of Mission, Kan.; Chief Construction, the subcontractors; city and county governments; employees of the Police and Sheriff's Departments; the citizens of Hall County; and anyone else who had a hand in the planning, designing and construction of the building.

"It is dangerous to name one individual, but I live a life of danger," Kortum joked as he brought attention to Falldorf, who was one consistent part of the project from its inception four years ago.

The architect, mayor, city administrator, police chief and five members of the city council all changed during the project, Kortum said.

Lamken also took the time to highlight one person who helped get the project started Kyle Hetrick, who retired as police chief in October 2005.

Being involved in a construction project wasn't new for Lamken. He was also involved in building renovations and construction as chief in Kearney and as the Law Enforcement Training Center director.

Kortum teased the chief by saying he's now known in law enforcement circles as an "expert interior decorator."

"So if you love the colors, thank Chief Lamken," Kortum said as the two men laughed.

Lamken said it took a lot of people and communication to complete the project and he thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication.

Hall County Sheriff Jerry Watson also thanked a number of people, after describing himself as the happiest tenant of the new building.

"I'm no longer the landlord," he said.

The Public Safety Center, where the departments were previously located, is owned by the county while the Law Enforcement Center is a city property.

He said the project really got started four years ago when he and Hetrick met with then-City Administrator Gary Greer, who wanted to make the Law Enforcement Center a top priority. The taxpayers had to pass a half-cent sales tax to make the building a reality, which they did, he said.

"I feel grateful," Watson said. "And that gratitude continues to grow every day as I walk into this building. How could I not be grateful?"

Hornady said it was a pleasure to be at yet another building dedication. Since September 2007 the city has opened the patient tower at St. Francis Medical Center, an addition to the city library, a new Fire Station 1, and a new Westridge Middle School, she said.

City and county law enforcement have been waiting for the Law Enforcement Center for a "long, uncomfortable time," she said. They patiently waited and worked in a 13,000-square-foot building that was cramped and outdated before they were able to move into the 45,000-square-foot building. The new building has abundant space for future growth, including the community room where the ceremony was held, she said.

"It's about time," she said.

She also congratulated everyone involved in completing the construction, "from digging dirt to moving in," in 18 months. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 15, 2006, and the departments moved in on Jan. 18.

Jeffries said the county is "proud to be part of this building."

He described the building and functional and beautiful and encouraged the approximately 130 people gathered for the ceremony to take a guided tour Friday.

"Keep paying your taxes and we'll keep building these buildings," he said with a smile.

Lamken has a similar sentiment for the public.

"This is your building," he said. "It was built by you. I hope you use the community room and take pride in this building."