By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDEPENDENCE - The police department is so crowded that, one day last week, the second shift held roll call outside in 20-degree temperatures so that detectives could interview burglary suspects privately.

In the nearby city building on Madison Pike, employees also face a space crunch daily. Because of the cramped quarters at the Independence city building, it's not unusual for administrative staff to store items in restrooms and a conference room.

The city is booming, and its public agencies are outgrowing space designed for a smaller town.

With a 43.5 percent population jump between 1990 and 2000 - from 10,444 to 14,987 - Independence's service needs are outgrowing its service office space.

After years of talking about bringing police and administrative functions under one roof in one of Northern Kentucky's fastest-growing cities, Independence officials hope to take action this month to remedy the situation.

On Tuesday, city officials will open bids for construction of a new 25,000-square-foot government center to serve the city's future police and administrative needs, as well as the current ones, said Independence Administrator Mark Wendling

Independence City Council, which has bid the project with and without city council chambers, is tentatively scheduled to meet on Dec. 23 to decide which option it prefers and award a construction bid.

If council awards a bid, as is expected, construction of the new municipal center at 5409 Madison Pike should begin by mid- to late January and be finished by spring 2004, Mr. Wendling said.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com