The cornerstone of Rock-dale’s new police station was “leveled” in a Masonic ceremony Saturday m0rning and it’s now estimated the first day of operation will be Wednesday, April 17.
The project is running about a month behind. The initial date for a public open house was April 4 and that’s now tentatively scheduled for May 4, according to City Manager Chris Whittaker.
But first the facility will need to be up and running and April 17 is the current date two key elements—phone service and 911 connectivity—should come online, according to Whittaker.
He said an American flag, donated by American Legion Carlyle Post 358, will be raised that day.
“After we declare formal occupation we will schedule an open house for the public to get a look at the new facility,” he said.
The new police department is located at the corner of Green and East Cameron (US 79) in downtown Rockdale.
LEVELING—Police and city crews have been moving items from the 124-year-old former City Hall, which has served as a police station, for the past couple of weeks.
Furniture has also arrived and is being put together.
Saturday’s leveling ceremony by the Grand Lodge of Texas, AF&AM, was attended by about 50 persons, including officers and members of Rockdale Masonic Lodge 414.
Also taking part were Police Chief Thomas Harris, Mayor John King and city council members.
A brief tour of the faculty, in which work continues, followed the ceremony.
A Masonic leveling ceremony is a symbolic “consecration” of a building’s cornerstone that contains a ritual assuring the stone is level, square and plumb (straight).
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