Council keeps UNT Dallas site for DPD training on consent after mixed public reaction

Dallas City Council left a planned lease of land at the University of North Texas at Dallas for a Dallas Police Department (DPD) training facility on the consent agenda and approved moving forward with the agreement June 11 amid public concern over rising project costs and process transparency.

Senator Royce West and other state and local leaders told council the UNT Dallas site would give law enforcement improved access to classroom space and criminal-justice programs, and could benefit recruitment and training. Supporters, including business groups and some community stakeholders, said a dedicated facility at UNT Dallas would build partnerships between the university and DPD.

But dozens of public speakers — from neighborhood activists to taxpayer advocates — urged the council either to slow the process or to reject the lease after cost estimates rose from about $140 million to roughly $275 million. Several speakers said the community had not been adequately briefed and that the project was being rushed; others questioned whether the city should expand spending on police facilities while other social services remain undersupported. Some city council members echoed those concerns and asked staff for additional briefings and transparency.

City staff and supporters said the item ties to earlier voter-approved bond and state allocations, and that placing a training facility at UNT Dallas would strengthen criminal-justice education programs at the university. Staff said the project budget estimates will be refined through schematic design and the city will return to council with more detailed cost and contracting information.

Council did not pull this consent item for a separate vote on June 11; staff will continue design and funding work, and councilmembers asked for additional briefings and documentation on cost, funding sources and public engagement going forward.