Wichita Falls Council approves purchase of 1715 Loop 11 for public safety facility
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Summary
The council approved the purchase of a 112,000-square-foot former school building at 1715 Loop 11 from Wichita Falls ISD to consolidate police operations and possibly municipal court; staff estimated renovation costs and a multi-year timeline and said funding gaps remain to be resolved.
The Wichita Falls City Council voted to authorize the city manager to finalize the purchase of 1715 Loop 11 from Wichita Falls Independent School District for a city public safety facility.
City staff presenter Blake said the property totals about 112,000 square feet and would allow consolidation of scattered police department operations (the current PD headquarters is about 38,000 square feet). Staff said municipal court (currently occupying roughly 9,000 square feet) could be colocated in the facility. Blake said environmental testing — including asbestos, lead and mercury surveys — has been completed and described a preliminary project timeline: design work through about October 2026, bidding in late 2026 and a hoped-for substantial completion in spring 2028.
"This is a great redevelopment project," Blake said, noting the site's accessibility from Loop 11 and nearby highways and the limited market for facilities of this size. He told council staff had done due diligence and would refine scope and costs during the design phase.
The staff presentation included several cost estimates and ranges. Blake referenced an earlier figure of $1,500,000 as a purchase-related number during the overview; during the formal motion the council approved the acquisition at $1,225,000. Staff also cited an asbestos abatement estimate of about $1,650,000 and projected renovation costs ranging roughly from $150 to $350 per square foot depending on the spaces renovated. Overall renovation and site costs were described in planning as a range between $26 million and $36 million, with the city general fund balance and outside partners identified as potential funding sources.
Police leadership said the move would reunite fragmented units under one roof and improve command and control. "I'll be able to bring my whole units all together back under one roof," the police chief said, adding that dispatch might move later if security and facility standards are met.
Council discussion thanked staff and the Public Safety Facility Committee for their work. After public comment (none on this item), a motion to authorize the city manager to sign all documents necessary to purchase the building was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.
The council directed staff to continue refining the program, complete design work, and return with firm cost estimates and funding recommendations. The approved motion authorized purchase but did not fix a final renovation budget, which staff said will be detailed during the next six months of planning and design.
What happens next: staff will proceed with closing steps, refine the needs assessment, carry out design and bring cost and funding recommendations back to council as design details are developed.
