PHOTOS: New Canaan Police Station Renovation in Final Stages

Police Department Opening May 2025

The renovation of the New Canaan Police Station on South Avenue is nearly complete, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for June 4.

Several local officers said they view the years-long project as a success, telling NewCanaanite.com during a tour Tuesday of the department that they are very pleased with all the renovations.

Police Chief John DiFederico said he was very happy with the modifications, describing the new building as “amazing.”

The renovated and expanded station at 174 South Ave.—a $20 million project, $29 million with soft costs such as insurance and the temporary headquarters downtown—includes all new office space, meeting rooms, locker rooms, systems and an extended sallyport at the back.

During an afternoon tour that booked up quickly online, Police Commission Chair Paul Foley detailed the process of the long-lasting project. 

“We were trying to get the building renovated years ago because of things like mold, sewer fleas, and AC issues,” he said. “We patched it together over the years and had continuous meetings debating the best location and the best designs.”

He continued: “We must have looked at 20 locations around town and finally decided that the best option was a renovation. So, we started the architectural design process, went on tours of other buildings, and crafted plans for the best and most effective police department that we could.”

The dispatch and 911 units will be transferred to the Darien station for a short period before the official opening, but all aspects of the facility are ready to operate, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Mardorf said. 

All that’s left to complete the building entirely are a couple of “punch-list items,” such as some additional painting and fixing a couple of locks, Foley said.

DiFederico highlighted the numerous updates that have been made to the building, which will improve efficiency for all officers. 

“Things like the locker rooms and shower facilities have gotten much better, and the fact that we will have better and cleaner spaces is invaluable,” he said. “The workout and training areas in the basement that officers will use every day will also greatly benefit all personnel in the building.”

He added: “The renovations also will help the public. There is now a bright, open, welcoming lobby where people can now come and get fingerprints, records, or anything else much easier.” 

The police department has started giving tours of the department to the public and had close to 100 people in the building on Tuesday, according to Mardorf.

One feature that is yet to come for the department is a shooting range. 

“We couldn’t get a shooting range on South Avenue for a multitude of reasons, so we are looking at options elsewhere in town or in places like Newtown,” Foley said. “However, we need a shooting range. We need that aspect of training.”