More on the new Chicago Public Safety Training Academy

Excerpts from wgntv.com:

A nearly $100 million state-of-the-art facility on the West Side will simulate real-world scenarios to train police officers and firefighters.

Leaders also believe the facility will bring an economic boost to the area. For years Ald. Emma Mitts says she’s been fighting for a piece of Chicago’s economic growth to be built her ward that includes west Garfield Park.

The $96 million Public Safety Training Academy for both police and firefighters will be built on 30 acres of land near 4301 W. Chicago Ave. It will be big enough to mock up a two-flat, CTA trains and buses, and classrooms to study the latest techniques.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel believes not only will the city’s personnel be better trained, but also Chicago will become the destination for training for departments from nearby states.

“So it will be a real economic development; people from the suburbs come train here down state come stay here for small fee; we will let people from Wisconsin, Indiana come train here,” Emanuel said.

The mayor also believes this will help in security on the West Side of Chicago because there will be hundreds of police officers coming in and out of there on a daily basis.

The facility is expected to be up and running by 2020.

thanks Dan