Eureka's City Hall was demolished to begin the construction of a new justice center. The government initiative, expected to wrap up by the year's end, comes with an estimated cost of $11.5 million.
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Construction of Eureka's Justice Center
On January 11, the longstanding City Hall of Eureka, a structure with 44 years of history located at 100 City Hall Drive, underwent a deliberate demolition, marking the initiation of a transformative project to develop an $11.5 million government facility. The ambitious endeavor is set to redefine the civic landscape of Eureka, with the forthcoming construction named the Michael A. Wiegand Justice Center in honor of the city's chief of police.
Anticipated to be completed by December 2024, the Michael A. Wiegand Justice Center is not just a mere replacement for the former City Hall but a facility designed to house city offices, the municipal court, and the Eureka Police Department. Moreover, Integrate Construction Partners, the driving force behind this substantial project, outlined their vision in a press release detailing plans for the new government center. Occupying the same site, the Justice Center is projected to encompass 30,000 square feet, showcasing a commitment to modernity and functionality in civic infrastructure.
On the other hand, as the echoes of City Hall's demolition resonate, the resilient spirit of Eureka's municipal services continues. During construction, city hall employees transitioned to temporary offices within the city's public works complex. This adaptive measure ensures the continuity of essential services while the groundwork for the state-of-the-art Justice Center is laid.
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Who is Michael A. Wiegand?
On May 18, 2021, the Board of Aldermen presented Michael A. Wiegand with an award for his many years of service to the city. Following the presentation, Flower shared the name of the building, which Wiegand found to be somewhat unexpected. Chuck Maher, the founder of the Eureka Police Support Fund, presented Wiegand with a plaque honoring his service. Wiegand's wife, Kathy, and their four daughters attended the conference.
For almost five decades, Wiegand, who lives in Eureka, has been employed by the Eureka Police Department. In 1976, he became a patrol officer, and in April, he was re-elected to a tenth term as city marshal. He received multiple advancements throughout his time with the department.
As mentioned, between 1972 and 1976, Wiegand began his career in Eureka as a security officer and dispatcher for the establishment now known as Six Flags St. Louis. According to Wiegand, he worked the night shift while pursuing an associate degree. That fall, he received his diploma from the police academy. In 1981 or 1982, he was advanced to the rank of sergeant, and in 1985, he was elevated to the rank of lieutenant.
In 1987, he won his first election for the position of city marshal, which is equivalent to the position of police chief. The only other municipalities in the St. Louis metropolitan area with an elected police superintendent are Eureka and St. Ann. Wiegand has stated that he intends to serve as marshal for the remainder of his term, but he has not ruled out the possibility of running for other elected positions in the city, county, or state. Furthermore, in April 2018, voters adopted Proposition E, a half-cent sales tax. The proceeds from this tax will be used to construct the facility, which will house a police station, courts, and city hall.
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