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Council hears update on K‑9 facility and separate fire training plans; design funding expected next steps
Summary
Administration told council staff believe they have identified a K‑9 facility site in Old Commerce Park and plan to advance a separate master plan for the fire training center once the K‑9 is relocated; council asked about phasing and funding across FY26–FY30.
City administration updated the Committee of the Whole on progress toward separate new facilities for the police K‑9 unit and a replacement fire training center. Staff said they had identified a potential property at 20 Fourth Street South in the Old Commerce Park area for the K‑9 training compound and were conducting a test‑fit to confirm space and access. That site, if finalized, would free the Lake Maggorry site for a phased fire training facility.
Why it matters: both facilities have been council priorities as part of public safety capital improvements. Council wanted to know how projects will be funded and sequenced and whether combining projects remains feasible.
What staff said: the administration stated the K‑9 site appears suitable, noting it is “relatively high” and unencumbered and may require an alley or street vacation. Staff expect to obtain a cost estimate for site work and return to council to request design services. For the fire training facility, administration said the plan now is to advance to a master plan level to clarify phasing and constructability on the Lake Maggorry site once the K‑9 location is moved.
Funding and timing: FY26 includes a funding assignment in the Penny for Pinellas plan to support public safety training facilities ($4,147,000 across five years cited for training facilities and $650,000 assigned for fire station 2 in the FY26 plan). Staff said design funding for the K‑9 facility should be affordable from those assignments, with construction funding likely to require additional transfers or later appropriations. Council members sought clarification on why FY27–FY28 appeared light in the draft plan and were told allocations in later years are subject to annual budgeting and prioritization of Penny resources.
Council direction: members asked staff to return with more detailed cost estimates, the test‑fit results, and a clear timeline showing how design and construction funds will be requested so council can consider scheduling and possible state/federal grant or legislative requests.
