A Hertel Avenue police station that was closed last month due to mold problems will likely be temporarily relocated to an old school in the Riverside neighborhood, The Buffalo News has learned.

City officials are in the final stages of negotiating a deal to move operations of the Northwest District police station to the former All Saints School at Esser Avenue and Eckhert Street. The vacant complex is located just east of Riverside Park.

Officials from Mayor Byron W. Brown’s administration could make an announcement within several days.

The station at 669 Hertel Ave., west of Elmwood Avenue, was closed last month following a complaint filed by a police officer. Operations were initially moved to a shuttered school at Minnesota Avenue and Cordova Street. Walk-up service has been provided to constituents at the Central District police station at 695 Main St.

Some have raised concerns that a prolonged stay by officers at the University District site could hurt police response times, especially when trouble calls involve incidents in Riverside, Black Rock and on the West Side.

City officials said environmental tests revealed no hazardous levels of mold or asbestos at the Hertel site. However, North Council Member Joseph Golombek Jr. said that removing the mold could take up to several months. Golombek said he’s pleased that the police station apparently will be moving to a site in the heart of the Riverside neighborhood.

News of the likely relocation came Friday, the same day that Brown and Council members received a letter from state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, commending Brown for making a “reasonable” decision to close the police station.

But Hoyt claimed his constituents are “growing more concerned” that the relocation could undermine police services. He submitted a list of questions to city officials, asking them to disclose how public safety has been affected since the station was closed.

Hoyt said residents also want to know how long the Hertel station will remain closed, whether visitors to the station should be concerned about their health, and other lingering issues.

Some police officers also have claimed that there were elevated numbers of illness in the building. The administration responded that the amount of sick leave in the district is the lowest in the city.

Hoyt said “transparency” is key when health issues are involved.

“I encourage you to hold a public information meeting where all of these questions can be answered openly and honestly,” Hoyt told the mayor in his letter. “Our police force and the entire community need these answers.”

Hoyt’s letter angered Golombek, who maintained residents have been keep abreast of developments.

“He’s Sammy-come-lately,” said Golombek, almost shouting. “Sam should worry about what’s going on in Albany. This is simple grandstanding by Hollywood Hoyt.”

Golombek is contemplating a challenge to Hoyt in the September Democratic primary.

The former All Saints school building had been on a short list of alternative sites for the temporary relocation, but there were concerns about space availability.