PHILOMATH - Years ago, Philomath residents agreed they needed to build a new a community center as well as a new law enforcement building. With plans moving ahead to construct both, some people now wonder if both will fit on the same piece of land.

The Philomath Police Department hopes in 2005 to have a new station constructed between the current Philomath City Hall and Philomath Public Library in the 900 and 1000 blocks of Applegate Street in the southwest part of town.

Police Chief Ken Elwer, citing the dysfunctional and dilapidated condition of the current police station several blocks north on Main Street, said his department needs a new place to call home. Having already acquired about one-third of the estimated $600,000 needed to build the facility, and with plans to sell the current police building for additional funds, the city hopes to avoid asking taxpayers to help pay for it.

Elwer didn't know what to think of the deteriorating conditions of the police facility when he was given a tour of the building before being interviewed for the police chief job in 2001.

"He wasn't really impressed," Officer Ray Sytsma said with a chuckle.

A new station will not only get Elwer's officers and staff away from rainwater leaks and drips in the current building, but also provide for better officer safety and a more secure evidence room and front office. Additionally, it would also improve on current facilities such as storage, lunchroom and locker room. Conference and training rooms would be new to the officers as well.

"As a chief, it's my job to get the best department we can," said Elwer, who has eight sworn officers. The staff also includes 10 reserve officers and six to eight Explorer scouts. "It's important for the (officers) who work here and the overall image of the community."

The current building is 4,800 square feet, but most of that space is not suited for the department's uses. The proposed building would be about 6,000 square feet.

"It was never designed to be a police building," said Philomath City Manager Randy Kugler of the current law enforcement center. The building formerly housed the city library and city council meetings, among other functions.

After ruling out the current location (not enough space) and property near Main and 21st streets (no utility available and other issues), the department decided on the Applegate location for the new site. The location allows citizens easy access to several city buildings all in the same general area, Elwer said.

With $197,000 having already been set aside for the construction, the police department hopes to save additional funds from its budgets in the next two fiscal years.

"I think that's good faith on our part," Elwer said, adding that he hopes citizens - should they be asked to vote on completing the funding - would recognize that.

In recent times, Philomath citizens have generally appeared to be uninterested in the process of building either of the new facilities.Last year through its newsletter, the city provided information on the project for residents on the police department's needs and asked for input on preserving property near city hall for a community center. But only one person responded and suggested the city build a police station.

"I don't know why they didn't respond to why we shouldn't do both," Kugler said.

While the city is making plans for a police station, the Philomath Area Chamber of Commerce is overseeing a project to construct a community center, possibly next to a new police station between the city hall and the library.

Charlie Redfern, the Chamber's executive director, said he believes there is room on the property for both projected buildings. It will ultimately be up to the Philomath City Council where to build the police station and whether both proposed buildings can fit on the same property between the city hall and library.

"We're sure there is because that lot goes deep, it doesn't go side to side," he said. "It will accommodate both."

Redfern said he doesn't want the Chamber to be standing in the way of constructing a new police station.

"We want Chief Elwer to have all the stuff he needs to conduct a good police department," he said.

A committee of chamber members is currently working with a Eugene architect to decide what will be included in the community center and, thus, how big the building will be. The chamber has no timeline for construction.