Chesterfield Advances Plans for New Falling Creek Police Station
TL;DR: Chesterfield County is advancing construction of its first permanent police precinct in Falling Creek, a $8.8 million facility expected to open in early 2027 as part of a voter-approved $39.1 million public safety bond.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Police Department; County Board of Supervisors
- What: Construction of new Falling Creek police precinct; topping-off ceremony scheduled
- When: Groundbreaking March 2026; opening expected early 2027
- Where: 7300 Midlothian Turnpike, Chesterfield County (Springline at District 60 development)
The story
Chesterfield County is building its first permanent police precinct in the Falling Creek area, marking a major shift from decades of operating out of leased spaces. The 2-story, 16,911-square-foot facility at 7300 Midlothian Turnpike broke ground on March 10, 2026, and is expected to open in early 2027. The station will replace the previous Falling Creek facility on North Providence Road, which operated for nearly 30 years before an electrical fire forced its closure on February 8, 2026. The new precinct is being built as part of the Springline at District 60 mixed-use development, a 42-acre project expected to generate approximately $1 billion in private investment.
The $8.8 million project is funded through the 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan, which Chesterfield voters approved with 76% support in November 2022. That bond referendum allocated $39.1 million total to police infrastructure statewide—enough to build four new permanent precincts. The new Falling Creek station is the first of these four facilities planned countywide. It will serve residents across portions of the Bermuda, Dale, Clover Hill, and Midlothian magisterial districts and will include a roll call room, recovery space, fitness area, conference rooms, general workspaces, and multiple offices designed for modern law enforcement operations.
The project advances amid ongoing recovery efforts following a serious shooting incident on May 31, 2026. Two officers—Jacob Clark, 25, and Jacob Wells, 40—were critically injured when they responded to a domestic disturbance call at 12900 Gumfork Place. During a 35-minute exchange of gunfire, Clark was shot seven times and Wells twice. A police K-9 named Knight was killed in the incident. The suspect, Gary G. Shaw, 65, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted aggravated murder of a police officer and two counts of aggravated malicious wounding. Police Chief Frank Carpenter noted that both injured officers are "healing and moving in the right direction."
The new station represents the county's broader strategy to own and operate modern police facilities rather than lease inadequate spaces. The department's current footprint includes headquarters at the government complex plus three leased substations in a former barbecue restaurant, a strip mall, and an office building adjacent to a busy restaurant. Police leadership emphasized that purpose-built, owned facilities will "maximize the efficiency of our workforce" and reduce long-term costs while providing secure, professional spaces designed to serve the county for "30-40-50 years."
Key players
- Chesterfield County Police Department — Primary occupant of new facility; department previously operated from headquarters plus three leased substations
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors — Authorized bond funding and facility development through 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan
- Col. Frank Carpenter — Chief of Chesterfield County Police; overseeing department recovery and new facility operations
Key dates
- 2026-02-08 — Electrical fire closes previous Falling Creek station indefinitely
- 2026-03-10 — Groundbreaking for new Falling Creek police precinct
- 2026-06-11 — Topping-off ceremony (scheduled but postponed due to weather)
- 2027-Q1 — Expected opening of new Falling Creek police precinct
The case for
New dedicated police facilities address a long-standing operational handicap: the department currently leases three inadequate substations in converted commercial spaces, limiting officer amenities and professional operations. Owned, purpose-built stations will reduce recurring lease costs, consolidate scattered resources, and provide spaces designed for modern law enforcement—including recovery areas, fitness facilities, and secure evidence storage. The $8.8 million Falling Creek facility will serve a growing area and replace infrastructure destroyed by fire, allowing the department to restore service continuity and operational efficiency in the eastern corridor.
The case against
The county is committing $39.1 million in bond funds across four new police precincts at a time when public safety budgets face scrutiny. While improved facilities may enhance officer morale and efficiency, there is debate about whether real estate expansion is the highest-priority use of capital—other departments (schools, roads, parks) compete for the same funding pool. Long-term ownership commits the county to ongoing maintenance and operational costs; leased spaces offer flexibility if operational patterns shift or budgets tighten. Some residents question whether modern infrastructure should be the primary lever for addressing policing effectiveness versus staffing, training, and community programs.
Why it matters: The new precinct will restore police services to the eastern county corridor after the February 2026 fire displaced operations, while the broader $39.1 million investment in four precincts signals the county's commitment to modernizing law enforcement infrastructure. For residents in Falling Creek and surrounding districts, it means improved response times, better-equipped officers, and a permanent local facility; for the county, it represents a shift away from leasing toward asset ownership and long-term operational stability in public safety.
Places
- Falling Creek Police Station
- North Providence Road
- Midlothian Turnpike
- Springline at District 60
- Chesterfield County Government Complex
Development timeline
- 2022-11-08Chesterfield voters approve $540 million bond referendum: Bond package includes $39.1 million for police infrastructure and four new permanent precincts countywide. Approved with 76% voter support. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2995)
- 2026-02-08Electrical fire forces Falling Creek police station closure: Previous station on North Providence Road closed indefinitely after fire; department temporarily relocates operations. [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/02/18/chesterfield-police-precinct-closed-indefinitely-after-fire/)
- 2026-03-10Groundbreaking for new Falling Creek police precinct: County breaks ground on first of four permanent police precincts planned as part of 2022 bond. $8.8 million facility at Springline at District 60 development. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/7117)
- 2026-05-31Two officers shot responding to domestic disturbance: Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells critically injured during 35-minute gunfire exchange at Gumfork Place. Police K-9 Knight killed; suspect Gary Shaw arrested and charged. [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/gumfork-place-shooting-may-31-2026)
- 2026-06-11Topping-off ceremony scheduled (postponed): Ceremonial milestone installing final beam of new precinct delayed due to weather concerns; rescheduled date not announced. [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/falling-creek-police-station-june-11-2026)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Police Department
- 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan: Public Safety
- Capital Improvement Program
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- Chesterfield Breaks Ground on First Permanent Police Precinct in County History
- 2022 Community Facilities Bond Plan: Public Safety
- Chesterfield's new Falling Creek police station moves forward
- Chesterfield breaks ground on police station at new mixed-use development Springline
- 2 officers critically injured, suspect in custody after 'exchange of gunfire'
- Chesterfield police identify officers shot, arrest suspect
- Chesterfield Police's Falling Creek Station closes indefinitely after fire