The Board of Regents at Northwest Missouri State agreed Monday to construct a new $1.6 million home for the university’s police department and purchasing department.

During a special meeting Monday, the board signed off on a contract with EL Crawford Construction to erect a new 7,300 square-foot metal building on the west side of campus, adjacent to the Materials Distribution Center.

Officials say the facility is centrally located to reduce police response times, and will include a severe weather shelter for emergency dispatch notifications to the campus community.

The Police Department will occupy the majority of the building, which will include offices, dispatch, weapons storage, interrogation rooms, locker rooms, evidence rooms, a fingerprinting station and a garage. The Purchasing Department will use offices and storage. The building also will have a shared conference room and restrooms.

The school hopes to open the new facility next summer.