Hurricane Council weighs $38–43M civic center plan as police and office space needs grow

Hurricane — The City Council on May 15 reviewed public feedback and preliminary plans for a proposed civic center that would include a new police station and city office, and directed staff to refine financing scenarios ahead of a June recommendation.

Consultant Caden told the council the preliminary program calls for a police station of about 41,700 square feet and a city office of roughly 31,200 square feet. Estimated total costs for horizontal and vertical construction are currently in the $38 million to $43 million range, with utility infrastructure on the property estimated at about $6.5 million. Caden reported the city has roughly $4.5 million on hand now and projected around $7.7 million by July; staff estimated a financing shortfall near $25 million and annual bond payments in the range of $1.2 million to $1.8 million depending on terms.

The police chief described operational constraints, including growth from 21 sworn and non‑sworn staff in 2008 to 44 today, a repurposed "soft interview" room now used for staff offices, insufficient training space, unsecured vehicle parking and prisoner access, and evidence-storage deficiencies including lack of proper ventilation and industrial refrigeration for DUI evidence. "We are now at full capacity," the chief said, urging the council to treat a new station as a need rather than a want.

Caden and other staff outlined office-space problems for administrative personnel — scattered workstations, inadequate restrooms and meeting rooms, and employees placed in nonstandard spaces — and said the existing building layout limits operational efficiency.

Council members and staff discussed alternatives to building both facilities simultaneously: build one facility first, combine functions into a single building, use portables and remodel the existing building for temporary relief, pursue ground leases, sell or lease excess land to reduce costs, or acquire nearby properties (the old ACE building was described as under contract for about $3,000,000). Staff said it will model multiple scenarios and return with refined cost estimates and financing options.

The council was also given site information: the civic parcels would occupy a bit more than six acres within a roughly 20‑acre development, with about two acres of designated open space. Consultant appraisal scenarios ranged from a highest‑and‑best‑use value of about $13.2 million (assuming utility build‑out) to roughly $8 million under existing zoning assumptions. Lease‑revenue estimates cited in the presentation were about $450,000 per year under a highest‑and‑best‑use scenario and roughly $325,000 under current zoning.

The online civic‑center survey was set to close the night of the meeting; staff will return to the council on the third Thursday in June with survey results and a set of funding and phasing recommendations.

Votes at a glance: No formal vote was taken on the civic‑center design or financing at this meeting; the council requested further analysis and scheduled a June presentation.