Austin Nears $107M Deal for New Public Safety Headquarters Near Zilker Park.

The City of Austin is on the brink of finalizing a $107 million agreement to acquire a new public safety headquarters in Southwest Austin, near Zilker Park. The 386,000-square-foot facility, which would house Austin Police, Fire, and Austin-Travis County EMS, would consolidate operations currently dispersed across aging and outdated buildings.

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On October 24, the Austin City Council's Public Safety Committee will receive the proposal. "We are happy to be announcing that the city council on October 24 will consider approving the acquisition and renovation of a 386,000 square foot property along Barton Sky Way to serve as a consolidated headquarters for all three public safety departments," according to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

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Watson emphasized that the existing facilities, some of which are over 50 years old, are plagued by substantial issues, including inadequate parking, decaying infrastructure, and failing mechanical systems. The estimated cost of the new building is $107.6 million, with an additional $13 million allocated for renovations. This still represents a significant reduction from the estimated $234 million required to construct a comparable facility from the ground up.

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"This opportunity allows the City to leverage the current commercial real estate market to acquire a modern facility that will result in significant cost savings and operational efficiencies, enhancing the delivery of critical public safety services," Watson asserted.

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T.C. Broadnax, the City Manager of Austin, underscored that the concept of a consolidated headquarters has been in the works for two decades. He emphasized the long-term advantages of the acquisition, stating, "We have the opportunity to acquire a modern, aesthetically pleasing facility for less than half the cost of constructing a new one."

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