The town's new public safety building houses the Essex Police and Fire departments. The town purchased the site's lot, 11 John Wise Ave., in order to fit the combined police and fire facility. Shortly after, G&R Construction was selected to construct the $12.4 million building. rant farm was salvaged from the site by the Essex Shipbuilding Museum.
Essex's new public safety building offers many new features the Memorial Building on Martin Street sorely lacked, 42-foot-high vehicle bay for the Fire Department's seven vehicles and one boat; two holding cells and a ballistic-proof criminal processing wing for the Police Department; a new training and conference space for both departments; and two locker rooms complete with shower units. The complex design fits naturally into its residential surrounding.
