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Family Safety Center outlines new Sheridan facility, project timeline and remaining fundraising needs
Summary
Family Safety Center leaders told the City of Tulsa Public Works Committee they are 50% through construction of a new facility at 2829 S. Sheridan, expect a fall move-in, have cut the project budget from pre-bid estimates and still need roughly $400,000 to close capital fundraising while seeking operating support.
The Family Safety Center told the Tulsa Public Works Committee it is halfway through construction of a new facility at 2829 South Sheridan and plans to complete construction in September with an October move-in.
The center’s leaders said the project’s pre-bid estimate of about $29 million has been reduced, and the current construction and facility budget stands at $24.04 million. Board chair Cheryl Killenauer said the organization has raised nearly all capital dollars and was short about $400,000; the agency is pursuing remaining commitments and separate operating support from funders.
Suzanne Stewart, chief executive officer of the Family Safety Center, described the organization’s current location in the basement of the Tulsa Police Municipal Courts building and what the new space will add. “We will actually have a courtroom that has been built into the facility, and will be utilized by that protective order docket,” Stewart said. She added the new building will replace a largely open, curtained client intake area with individual interview and intake rooms, a medical/forensic center and expanded offices for partner agencies.
Why it matters: the center coordinates multiple victim services in one location and handles protective-order processing for Tulsa County. Stewart and Killenauer said the center currently houses partner staff from roughly 13 agencies and expects expanded operating capacity at the Sheridan site. The presentation said planners expect a large caseload: roughly 100 protective-order docket cases daily (five days a week) and as many as about 30,000 individuals passing through the facility annually.
Committee members asked about accessibility, parking and neighborhood infrastructure. Councilors and staff noted existing sidewalks and crosswalks at 31st and Sheridan and nearby commercial parking that could be used by clients; center leaders said they are considering additional transport options and will work with partners on pedestrian access. Councilors also asked about language access and services for people with disabilities; Stewart said the center has Spanish-speaking staff, access to remote translation services and accommodations for hearing- and vision-impaired clients and that the center will expand those services in the new building.
Funding and federal grants: Stewart and Killenauer said the Family Safety Center remains funded by a mix of private fundraising and federal grants. They described uncertainty at the federal level about Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding and said states and local providers are monitoring potential changes. The presentation also noted the center previously received a U.S. Department of Justice family justice center grant; Stewart said the model has expanded nationally from an early DOJ cohort to hundreds of centers.
Committee discussion ranged from operational concerns to legislative and prevention work. Councilors and staff praised the collocation planned with the Child Advocacy Network (CAN), saying shared facilities and a secure gate between the two properties should let staff transfer clients and forensic information more quickly than at present. Killenauer said the organizations plan joint strategic planning and operational coordination after move-in.
The Family Safety Center presentation was informational; no committee vote was recorded. Stewart asked the committee to remain involved and to expect invitations to future planning sessions.
