Police Station Being Built Out Of Styrofoam
Chief: Styrofoam To Make Station More Secure

POSTED: 6:35 pm EST March 15, 2004

CARLISLE, Pa. -- Contractors are using Styrofoam instead of cement blocks to build the new Carlisle police station in Cumberland County.

"No lumber, no masonry. It's completely different than what I'm used to," said David Greesey, job superintendent.

Two pieces of Styrofoam are attached with a piece of plastic. Then the construction worker can put it on the building and attach it like Legos.

"It's simple. A 5-year-old could put it together. I hate to say it like that. It just interlocks on top of each other," Greesey said.

Styrofoam blocks make up the entire perimeter.

Crews put up scaffolding so the Styrofoam blocks can eventually reach 18 feet tall.

The blocks are lighter than the material with which some construction workers are used to working.

"A typical block (is) 16 to 18 pounds when these are maybe three pounds," construction worker Travis Hall said. "Oh yeah, it's good on my back."

Once all the Styrofoam is in place, crews will pour concrete into the center opening. The building method can also save time and provide for better insulation.

"There's a substantial insulation enhancement that will be good year round to try and cool or heat the building," Police Chief Stephen Margeson said.

But perhaps the biggest benefit, Margeson said, is that the Styrofoam will make for a more secure police station.

"It would be more difficult to breach a wall or any corner of the building because of the way it's going to be constructed," Margeson said.

Construction is expected to be finished by this fall.