Addison Council: Police facility needs outgrew earlier $35 million estimate; council directs bond committee review

Town staff and police officials told the Addison City Council on May 6 that a new police facility is needed and likely will cost substantially more than an original $35,000,000 estimate, and the council directed staff to advance a bond-committee review of the project.

The facility study presented to the council said the current police station is more than 40 years old, lacks room for expansion and is not ADA compliant. Staff said a new needs assessment and site tours by the consultant identified expanded space needs, a possible on-site gun range and support buildings that were not part of the 2022 baseline estimate.

The presentation summarized updated cost drivers and timeline options. A staff presenter said, “We don’t know exactly what the total cost is gonna be, but we’re confident this can be more than that original $35,000,000.” The presenter added that if the project proceeded with an expanded scope that includes a range and additional support space, the cost estimate could approach $50,000,000 under current market conditions.

Why the issue matters: Council members emphasized that the current building’s condition and constrained site make continued incremental repairs infeasible and that inflation and scope changes pushed the project beyond initial projections. Council members pressed staff…