Austin City Council Considers New $120.5 Million Headquarters for Emergency Services Amid Opposition and Transparency Concerns

Austin Proposes New Headquarters for Emergency Services

AUSTIN, Texas — New proposals have emerged regarding the city’s plan to establish a new, combined headquarters for the Austin Police Department, the Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County EMS. Next week, city officials will be asking the city council to approve a significant investment for this project.

City’s Proposal

The city is looking to acquire a 390,000 square-foot facility located just three miles from the city hall for a total cost of $120.5 million. This new facility would serve as a central hub for the city’s first responders and is situated in the Barton Skyway area, accessible from the South MoPac Expressway.

Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his enthusiasm about the facility during a presentation to the Public Safety Committee on Monday. He emphasized the urgent need to address the condition of existing public safety facilities, stating, “We need to do something for our public safety facilities, which have been allowed to get into great disrepair.”

The Financial Breakdown

The facility is being listed at $107.6 million, equivalent to $275 per square foot, according to reports from the city’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Kim Olivares. “Each building is two wings, so while it looks like four separate buildings, it’s actually two buildings with two wings each,” Olivares explained during the meeting.

City officials had considered another site on Rutherford Lane, but it would cost between $250 million and $300 million, which is about the same as the cost of demolishing existing facilities and rebuilding them. Olivares pointed out that the proposed location is ideal due to its proximity to downtown, public transportation access, and ample square footage to accommodate future growth.

Opposition to the Plan

However, not everyone agrees with this proposal. Bill Bunch, the Executive Director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, has voiced strong opposition, claiming that this move violates a longstanding policy against establishing employment centers over the Barton Springs watershed. He argues that such growth could lead to increased pollution in the area.

Bunch raised questions regarding the limited number of locations considered for this project, stating, “There are literally millions of square feet of office space, you know, vacant and ready to be leased.” He criticized the current initiative as being rushed and called for a more thorough evaluation of possible alternatives.

In defense of the proposal, city officials explained that suitable locations near downtown are quite limited. Olivares reiterated, “Especially when we need to find something close to downtown, there just aren’t many options like this.”

Transparency Concerns

In the wake of these discussions, Austin Mayoral Candidate Doug Greco has raised questions about the transparency surrounding the deal. He pointed to a recent $10,000 donation to one of Kirk Watson’s political action committees from Brandywine, the same real estate firm handling the sale. This contribution was disclosed just days before the announcement of the proposed deal.

Watson responded to these allegations by stating, “He’s throwing out broad allegations and trying to get attention for himself in an election.” He denied any personal connections to the PAC and claimed he was unaware of the contributions being made.

Next Steps

If the city council approves the purchase next Thursday, there will be a six-month design planning phase before first responders can officially move into the new facility. However, officials have indicated that it is still too early to determine the exact timeline for when the transition will occur.

The discussions around this proposal highlight the ongoing debate about public safety improvements in Austin, as officials work to meet the needs of the community while addressing concerns raised by residents.