Construction is underway at the Great Falls Police Department for an expansion to house evidence.

In February, City Commissioners awarded a $3,544,750 contract to Wadsworth Builders for the project in a 3-2 vote.

GFPD has faced increasing overcrowding in its evidence storage and processing areas over the years.

“More burdensome retention requirements and increases in case numbers have exacerbated the problem, making the need for addition space critical,” according to city staff.

In April 2022, commissioners selected the expansion as a top priority project for American Rescue Plan Act, or federal COVID relief, funds.

The project includes the construction of a roughly 8,000-square-foot addition onto the south side of the existing GFPD building.

In February 2023, the city hired BSpark Architecture to design the expansion.

Commissioners had been scheduled to vote on the construction contract at an earlier meeting, but delayed the decision so staff could review a protest by the other bidder, James Talcott Construction.

Staff ultimately recommended awarding the contract to Wadsworth.

For background on the project, protest and vote, see our previous coverage:

City awards GFPD evidence building construction contract to Wadsworth

After protest review, staff recommends $3.54 million GFPD evidence building contract award

City postpones contract award for GFPD evidence building

City likely to postpone GFPD evidence building construction award

City Commissioner to consider $3.5 million contract for GFPD evidence addition

City approves contract for GFPD evidence addition