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 on relocation costs, FAA constraints because part of the current site is on airport property, and how the town would pay for construction.

Council discussion and direction - Staff reviewed options including rebuilding on the current site, relocating to other town-owned parcels, or acquiring new land. The report noted that rebuilding on the current site would require temporary relocation of staff and additional mobilization costs. - The town’s consultant selected for the needs assessment toured about 15 departments and produced updated space recommendations based on projected operations and training needs. The firm also produced a very rough construction cost estimate and projected square-foot needs beyond the 45,000-square-foot range discussed earlier. - The transcript records repeated concern that the current site is on airport property and that any expansion or change there would require Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) review and coordination.

On next steps, council members generally supported forming a bond committee to study the project and gather public input before a financing decision. One council member said public approval would give voters a direct voice and help guide the project scope. Staff said they would continue FAA coordination, pursue potential off-airport sites, and refine cost and relocation estimates for the bond committee to consider.

Not a formal vote The council’s action was direction/consensus rather than a recorded motion and roll-call vote. Staff described the outcome as moving forward with preparing for a bond-committee process and additional site and cost analysis; no formal ordinance, bond authorization or election date was adopted at the May 6 meeting.

Details and constraints - Original program estimate cited at the meeting: $35,000,000 (2022 baseline). Staff said that figure assumed building a new station on the current station’s parking lot to allow continued operations during construction; feasibility work later showed that approach would not work on the current site. - Updated reference figures mentioned during discussion: roughly $50,000,000 for a scope that includes a gun range and expanded support spaces; per-square-foot construction costs cited increased from about $760–$770/sq ft in 2022 to roughly $975/sq ft in 2025, per staff remarks. - Operational and security considerations: staff noted secure storage for evidence and ammunition, digital/information-security requirements that complicate off-site leasing, and recurring staffing costs if the project included a jail component. The police chief explained training needs and how an on-site range would support quarterly training and recruit training. - Site constraints: the current building occupies airport property; staff said that, if vacated, the parcel would likely revert to airport use and any redevelopment would be considered under the airport master plan and any RFP process.

Community and council context Council members repeatedly urged the bond committee—if formed—to examine consolidation options (placing police and other town facilities on a campus or combined structure), to clarify whether a jail should be included, and to weigh trade-offs among scope, costs and timing. Several council members urged that public input be central to a bond proposal and that the committee consider longer-term consolidation of town facilities if feasible.

What remains unresolved Staff said they will return with refined cost estimates, site options and a schedule for committee formation and public engagement. The meeting record shows a clear direction to pursue a bond-committee review but no formal financing action was taken.

Ending Councilmembers and staff agreed the town needs a replacement facility; the council’s immediate directive was to form a bond committee and continue cost and site analysis, including FAA coordination, before deciding whether to pursue a bond election or other financing approach.