The City of Bismarck has initiated the acquisition of a 9.8-acre parcel in northeast Bismarck near Century Avenue and Valley Forge Street for a new police station. The first of three payments has been made, part of a total $5 million investment over three years.
This major move by the Bismarck city government reflects longstanding growth of the Bismarck Police Department (BPD) and the need to modernize and centralize its operations. The new location is intended to accommodate future expansion and consolidate significant department assets under one roof.
At present, BPD has grown from 63 sworn officers in 1989 to approximately 136 sworn officers and about 30 non-sworn staff. The current station at 700 South Ninth Street will be repurposed at a later date.
Funding for the new land purchase comes from reserves allocated in the city’s 2024 budget, with the building’s construction set to begin in 2027, supported by a voter-approved sales tax initiative passed in November 2024.
A modern station means better infrastructure and capacity for law enforcement in Bismarck’s growing neighborhoods. As the city expands, a facility in the northeast makes strategic sense for response times and community access. Taxpayers will want to follow how construction and ongoing maintenance are handled—good stewardship matters.
“This change ensured we still had three months of reserves available in the event of an emergency, while still giving us access to additional funds that would not have been available otherwise,” noted Michael Schmitz, Mayor of Bismarck. He is referring to the financial structure behind the land purchase.
As Bismarck moves ahead with the acquisition and planning for its next police station, residents, local businesses and community groups should stay engaged. Key upcoming steps include finalizing design, awarding construction contracts, and monitoring how the future building supports safety, access and community relationships.
The city’s investment signals confidence in long-term growth—and sets a benchmark for how infrastructure evolves with a growing population.
