Council approves contract for new 911 call center; construction to start summer 2025

Fresno City Councilors approved a contract on Thursday for construction of a new 911 emergency call center, a step city officials say will expand dispatch capacity and improve working conditions for emergency dispatch staff.

City staff told the council construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025 with substantial completion anticipated in fall 2026. The new facility, at the Municipal Services Center (G Street and El Dorado), will include expanded dispatch consoles, training and conference rooms, staff locker and fitness areas, enhanced server rooms and exterior patios.

Bidding for the project produced a low apparent bidder who later withdrew due to a subcontractor issue. City staff explained the local‑preference policy: if a low bidder is not local, the city may account for a $75,000 local‑preference adjustment when comparing bids; in this case the second‑low bidder, Solpack, was awarded the contract after the apparent low bidder could not proceed. The same contractor is also constructing Fire Station 12; city staff confirmed the contractor will use separate crews and does not expect schedule conflicts.

Council Member Brandon Vang, whose district includes the site, asked about school and traffic impacts; staff said the mayor and capital projects team will invite the nearby school to preconstruction meetings and take steps to do most heavy work over the summer when school is out. Staff also said there are no planned full closures of Fresno Street and that staging and traffic control will be limited to El Dorado at the MSC site.

Council approved the award 7–0. Staff said the existing dispatch center is cramped and has limited capacity for additional dispatchers — a key reason for building a larger facility.

Ending: City staff and councilors said the new center should boost dispatch staffing capacity and working conditions; staff will provide construction and traffic‑control updates as the project moves forward.