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The old home of the Zurich city police dogs is being extensively renovated
The service dog competence center at Albisgüetli is being extensively repaired for 13.5 million Swiss francs. The Zurich municipal council approved the loan on Wednesday evening with 107 to 8 votes.
Only in the Greens did the project trigger a very quiet growl. Different opinions prevailed in the parliamentary group; she therefore decided to vote.
Because the building is in the free zone, part of the faction speak out against the loan, Markus Knauss justified. The canton has in turn promised an exceptional permit. But if the property is already run down, it could be demolished – and the zone really kept free.
With all other parties represented in the municipal council, however, the proposal remained completely unchallenged. The final vote took place without further requests to speak and led to the expected clear result.
Search for people, drugs and explosives
There are currently 42 service dogs housed at the Albisgüetli. In addition, around 40 city police officers work there. The Service Dog Competence Center (DKZ) is in operation around the clock and is used, among other things, to search for people, narcotics and explosives.
According to the city council, the DKZ house, which was originally built in 1910 as an ammunition and equipment store in connection with military shooting operations in Albisgüetli, is in a “slightly damaged condition”. In addition, the overall spatial conditions should be somewhat cramped.
Therefore, the building is now being extensively rebuilt and renovated, as can be seen from the City Council’s application. Thanks in part to a «floor plan optimization», it should be able to be used by dogs and humans for the next 30 years.
Construction work is scheduled to start in November. The refreshed center can be occupied in February 2026 if the current schedule is adhered to. During the construction period, a temporary two-storey container will be built on the site for the service dogs and the Stapo employees. (sda)Credit
The old home of the Zurich city police dogs is being extensively renovated. The service dog competence center at Albisgüetli is undergoing repairs for 13.5 million Swiss francs. The Zurich municipal council approved the loan on Wednesday evening with 107 to 8 votes.
There are currently 42 service dogs housed at the Albisgüetli. In addition, around 40 city police officers work there. The Service Dog Competence Center (DKZ) is in operation around the clock and is used, among other things, to search for people, narcotics, and explosives.
The building, originally built in 1910 as an ammunition and equipment store, is in a “slightly damaged condition,” according to the city council. The overall spatial conditions are also cramped. Therefore, the building is now being extensively rebuilt and renovated to optimize the floor plan and ensure it can be used by dogs and humans for the next 30 years.
Construction work is scheduled to start in November, and the refreshed center is expected to be occupied in February 2026. During the construction period, a temporary two-storey container will be built on the site for the service dogs and the Stapo employees.
The project received support from all other parties represented in the municipal council, except for the Greens, who had some concerns about the building being in the free zone. However, the canton has promised an exceptional permit, and the loan was approved without further challenges.
The renovation of the service dog competence center at Albisgüetli is an important investment in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the Zurich city police dogs. The upgraded facility will provide improved working conditions for both the service dogs and the police officers who rely on them in their daily operations.
How will the temporary prefab building be utilized during the construction of the center
Y prefab building will be set up to house the dogs and police officers.
The renovation project has a budget of 13.5 million Swiss francs, which was approved by the Zurich municipal council. The decision was overwhelmingly supported, with only a few objections from the Greens due to concerns about the location of the building in a free zone.
The Service Dog Competence Center at Albisgüetli is an important facility for the Zurich city police. Currently, it houses 42 service dogs and employs around 40 police officers. The center operates 24/7 and is primarily used for searching people, narcotics, and explosives.
The city council considers the current state of the building to be slightly damaged and the spatial conditions cramped. To address these issues, the building will undergo extensive renovation and reconstruction. The aim is to optimize the floor plan and ensure that the facility can accommodate dogs and humans for the next 30 years.
Construction work is set to begin in November, and the renovated center is expected to be ready for occupancy in February 2026. During construction, a temporary two-story prefab building will be used to house the dogs and police officers.
Overall, the renovation project at the Service Dog Competence Center is a significant investment in maintaining and improving the facilities for the Zurich city police.
It’s great to see the old home of Zurich City Police dogs being given the attention it deserves with extensive renovations. These loyal companions deserve a comfortable and updated space to support them in their vital role. Kudos to the city for prioritizing their well-being! 🐾
It’s great to see the old home of Zurich City Police Dogs getting the attention it deserves through extensive renovations. This shows their commitment to the well-being of these brave and dedicated animals.