The City of Bentonville plans to purchase a building next door to the police station for $2.5 million and repurpose it as a training facility.

The building at 910 S.E. 14th St. is 6,514 square feet and sits on about an acre of land. It has been home to at least two churches, most recently Iglesia de Dios Peniel.

The City Council approved the purchase Tuesday evening as part of the consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are not expected to draw public comment or disagreement among council members, and they are bundled into a single vote to speed up meetings.

“I just want to say I appreciate the thought that went into purchasing the property by the police department,” said Chris Sooter, the only council member to comment on the purchase. “I think it’s really important that we have enough room to operate there.”

The building's location next to the police headquarters presents a "unique and strategic opportunity," according to a memo to City Council from Police Chief Ray Shastid. The former sanctuary, due to its large open layout, could be used for "defensive tactics training," he wrote.

The building also includes space for uniform storage, a break room, and a classroom. There are about 30 parking spaces in the lot, with room for overflow parking, too.

The building will be paid for with police impact fees, which are charged to new developments to offset the strain growth places on city services.

Voters approved bond measures in 2021 that included funding for police training upgrades. That money was used to build an outdoor shooting range off Southwest Regional Airport Boulevard and to purchase virtual training systems, which would be relocated to the new facility.

The purchase is contingent on inspections, with a targeted closing date in June.

The property was last sold for $707,000 in 2012, according to land sale records.