Irving staff present $26.08 million plan to buy 909 Hidden Ridge for joint public‑safety campus

Trevor Crane, director of capital improvement projects, walked the Irving City Council through a proposed purchase of 909 Hidden Ridge Drive as the site of a consolidated police and fire facility. Staff described the property as a 1998 six‑story building of roughly 267,000 square feet on 7.5 acres with a four‑story parking garage and about 1,000 spaces. "This is the building that we're talking about," Crane said as he summarized the facility's size, existing furnishings on the fifth floor and the planned 90‑day feasibility period.

The sales terms read into the record show a purchase price of $26,080,000, closing costs not to exceed $30,000 and earnest money of $260,800 to be placed in escrow and deducted from the purchase price at closing. Staff said funding would come from a combination of public‑safety bond funds and existing non‑bond capital improvement funds. Crane and police and fire leaders told council the city would use a feasibility window to conduct building assessments and tests before moving forward with design and programming.

Council and chiefs discussed the scope and timing of a consolidation. Chief Derek Miller described the intent to fold disparate police functions — North Patrol, special operations and criminal investigations — into one campus. Staff said planning and design would take roughly 18 months and that build‑out and phased moves would extend several fiscal years depending on available bond and cash funding. Council members asked how consolidation would affect other properties and whether proceeds from selling older facilities could offset costs.

Staff and the chief told council that buying and repurposing the existing building could save money compared with constructing an entirely new campus at previously considered sites. The presentation also noted current tenants and lease expirations could affect phasing and tax implications related to how bond proceeds are used.

The transcript records the presentation, staff discussion and multiple clarifying questions from councilors but does not include a final recorded vote or formal action to complete the purchase. The item was introduced for consideration and described in detail; staff said follow‑up steps would include work in the feasibility period and later design and programming if studies support the acquisition.

Next steps: staff said the city would complete the feasibility assessments during the 90‑day window, coordinate with police and fire chiefs on programming and return with any recommended contractual actions or a request for formal council approval. The transcript shows the council treated the item as part of an ongoing process rather than a completed transaction.