By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The new Hays police station is nearing completion and city commissioners were given a tour Thursday afternoon by Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.
The renovated facility, which will also include municipal court, is in the Astra Bank former location, 1100 Fort, just across the street from the station's current location.
The police department has been housed in the Ellis County Law Enforcement Center, alongside the sheriff's department, since 1976. Police staff has doubled and the shared space has always been at a premium.
"I can't tell you how many times Chief Scheibler has said he's super excited," said David Vilaysing, city commissioner, after the tour. "And I like how he said 'We did it right.'"
Vilaysing is a retired Hays police officer and now is owner of DXI Training Solutions for first responders.
"From my perspective with previous experience in law enforcement, traveling the country and seeing other police stations, they're going to have a great facility to take them into the next 50 years, I think," Vilaysing said.
"It's a good investment back to the city," he added.
Scheibler said the project has stayed within its budget, even with the directive from city commissioners to "do it right."
In June 2025, the commission awarded the $5.9 million contract to PWC, Hays.
"It's amazing to me we're going to have what we have and still save $4.5 million doing [the renovation] instead of doing it brand new," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner, "and we're going to have room for growth.
"You really almost can't appreciate it unless you've been in the existing facility because it's so dark."
The renovated building has new reinforced windows, with plenty of sunlight streaming in, something that's missing in the current facility.
There's also an outdoor courtyard that can be used for employee breaks.
"Sunshine is important for our mental health," Scheibler said.
There will be individual workspaces for officers who once shared offices. In addition to municipal court, the building also includes dedicated conference rooms, a roll call room, a major case room, evidence storage, a weapons armory and private rooms for officers who need to testify remotely.
Technology has also been upgraded. A dedicated security camera system owned and managed by the police department is being installed, rather than relying on the county's system, Chad Ruder, information technology director for the city, explained during the tour.
Commissioner Shaun Musil said he originally wasn't in full support of the building renovation.
"What I do like is, not everybody that's taken into the police station has done something wrong and just needs some help," Musil said. "We actually have rooms in there that are going to take care of children and women. I think that's important."
Vice-mayor Alaina Cunningham said the police department looks amazing.
"If you were in the former bank, you're not going to recognize it," she said.
Musil said, "Chief Scheibler is excited. The whole police department deserves to be excited."
The station is expected to open within the next few weeks. A public open house is being planned.