“Nothing makes me happier than to say that after three years of discussion and planning the Old Rockville Post Office building now belongs to the City of Rockville and will be the future home of the Rockville City Police Department,” said Mayor Susan Hoffmann.

“One of the basic tenants of community-oriented policing for which the Rockville police department is widely known and respected is to have the police department in a central and easily accessible location for all citizens.” She described the Town Center area as close to public parking and bus lines, making the building an ideal location.

“The Mayor and Council look forward to adapting the use of this local historic landmark for a 21st Century Police headquarters in a manner that will make the entire community proud,” she concluded.

The property transferred with a quick claim deed from the General Services Administration. Scott Ullery surprised George Crawford from the Office of Property Disposal by asking him to speak. Mr. Crawford worked very closely with Burt Hall, the Project Manager, to make the transfer happen and promised to be at the grand opening.

Mr. Ullery also signed a perpetual deed to insure that the property will be preserved. The Maryland Historical Trust will hold the deed. Rodney Little joked that Rockville is “not the worst jurisdiction he has ever had to work with.” At one point State Senator Jennie Forehand called Mr. Little and told him not to be too hard on us and to be cooperative, but the call wasn’t necessary. Even though it is not easy to convert an historic building to a police station, Mr. Little found that the City was very, very sensitive to this building being historically significant and a terrific partnership has been formed.

The building, built in the English Georgian style in 1939, became a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Many of the men in the audience recalled signing their draft cards in the Post Office. Due to the persistence of many at the federal, state, and local levels, the building will continue to be a hub of the community.

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