SOLON — The City Council unanimously approved a resolution dedicating the new Johnson County Sheriff’s Office substation as the Steven R. Stange Public Safety Building during their regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 18. An open house for the public was held earlier this month in the fully renovated facility at 223 S. Iowa St., which has served the City of Solon for decades as a police station (with a jail cell) and fire station, City Hall, the library, and housed an early well. Likewise, Stange, the former Mayor (2014-2023) of Solon, has also served the city with 30 years as a member of the Solon (Tri-Township) Fire Department and a career as a law enforcement officer in addition to serving on the City Council for eight years.
The resolution states in part, “…the City Council of the City of Solon dedicates the Solon Substation as the Steve R. Stange Public Safety Building to recognize Steve Stange for his lifelong commitment to public service and public safety,” and, “…the Solon Substation reflects the long standing partnership with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and commitment to law enforcement services for the Solon community.”
Stange was instrumental in the establishment of the substation after reaching out to Sheriff Brad Kunkel and spearheading an effort to renovate the building.
Sheriff Brad Kunkel and former Mayor Steve Stange talk about the history of the new Johnson County Sheriff’s Office substation in Solon during an open house this past Saturday. Stange, himself a former law enforcement officer, initially proposed repurposing the vacant city-owned building for use by deputies patrolling Solon and the northern part of the county.