Mayor Meeker is in favor of the new 305,000 square-foot Clarence E. Lightner Public Safety Center and says it will make the Raleigh police and fire departments more efficient. However, the 17 story facility will take more than two years to complete and is expected to cost $226 million which could lead to a tax increase. Some City Council members are expressing concerns over the cost and visiting interest of renovating the curent heaquarters which would save nearly $30 million. Mayor Meeker still believes the new building is the best choice and says the later we hold off, the more it will cost which will mean larger tax increases.
