EAST PROVIDENCE — Long in need of upgrades and the recent focal point of some very public frustration by department members, the City Council and the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva recently came together to appropriate funds to renovate the East Providence Police headquarters located on Waterman Avenue.

At its May 16 meeting, the Council took two votes to move the process along.

First, it authorized the administration to use $305,800 of the remaining unencumbered and unallocated Capital Improvement funds from the current Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget to the department for the replacement of the roof at the police station.

Second, and following a brief public hearing, it passed an ordinance releasing said amount for specific use of the appropriation for the project.

Prior to the vote, the administration had conducted a Request for Proposal of bids from qualified contractors. Subsequently, a contract was entered into with Patrick J. McKenna Roofing Inc. to perform the repairs, which submitted the lowest of three proposals from vendors. Greenwood Industries Inc. submitted a bid of $322,750 while Capeway Roofing Systems Inc. came in at $338,325.

“I'm very pleased to see that the infrastructure needs of the police department are being addressed,” Chief Chris Francesconi said. “In addition to the roof replacement, we will be working with an architectural firm to assess the current and future needs of the building."

The roof replacement is just one of a series of upgrades being made to the 40-plus-year-old building.

Other improvements include: HVAC replacement at $264,046; parking lot expansion and upgrades to ensure safety of personnel and security of property at $180,438; men's and women’s locker rooms at $146, 688; access controls at $45,294 and a mobile shelving system at $24,881.

The administration is also working with Green Development LLC, with which it already has an existing contract to reduce the city's utilities costs, to add a solar canopy in the rear parking lot at the headquarters.

The canopy will serve a dual purpose: to protect police and personnel vehicles from the elements while also being a source of energy and savings.