Austin City Council to Evaluate $107.8 Million Headquarters for Public Safety Agencies

Austin City Council to Consider $107.8 Million Public Safety Headquarters

Next week, the Austin City Council will meet to discuss a significant proposal that could reshape the facilities for the city’s public safety agencies. The plan involves allocating $107.8 million to purchase an office campus located along South MoPac Expressway. This new campus aims to become a consolidated headquarters for the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Current State of Public Safety Facilities

During a recent Public Safety Committee meeting, city officials highlighted the urgent need for updated facilities. Deputy CFO Kimberly Olivares explained that many of the current public safety locations are outdated and cramped, leading to increasing maintenance costs. The current headquarters for the Austin Police Department is particularly overcrowded and in disrepair, while the buildings housing the Austin Fire Department and EMS face issues like foundation problems and inadequate space.

Olivares stated, “The current headquarters facilities have long exceeded their useful life, and they continue to deteriorate.” She noted that public access to these facilities is “minimal at best.” For over a decade, each public safety department has been requesting new headquarters.

Details of the Proposed Campus

If the council approves the allocation, the new headquarters would consist of two four-story Class A office buildings spread over 13.83 acres. In total, the campus would offer about 390,000 square feet of space, including two five-level parking garages. The South MoPac campus, built in 1999-2000, is already partially occupied by other office tenants.

Olivares pointed out that buying the South MoPac property is a cost-effective solution. The cost for building a brand-new facility from scratch could exceed $230 million, while the proposed site can be acquired for approximately $107.6 million. The city plans to allocate an additional $9.9 million for design and $3 million for initial renovation costs.

Concerns from the Community

Doug Greco, a mayoral candidate, raised questions about the decision to purchase property from Brandywine Realty Trust, which recently donated to a political action committee supporting current Mayor Kirk Watson. Greco criticized the lack of transparency, stating that “the mayor’s failure to disclose this relationship fits a pattern of behind-the-scenes unilateral decision-making.”

Watson responded by asserting that he does not closely follow fundraising efforts for political action committees, emphasizing that there is no direct coordination between his campaign and the PAC.

Environmental Considerations

Another voice in the conversation comes from Bill Bunch, executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance. He expressed concerns regarding the campus’s location, arguing that it is in an area crucial to the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer. “There’s no City Council before this one in 40 years who would ever even consider locating a large number of city employees out on the recharge zone,” Bunch stated, describing such a move as “offensive.”

Bunch emphasized that without further exploration of options within the city, the decision to move forward with the South MoPac acquisition might not be the best choice given the availability of other vacant office spaces in proximity to City Hall.

Next Steps for the City Council

The council’s decision will be critical in determining the future of public safety facilities in Austin. As discussions continue, it remains clear that the current conditions underscore the need for adequate space and resources for emergency services in the city. The City Council will weigh the benefits of the proposed headquarters against community concerns and the need for transparency in the decision-making process.