Consultants say Auburn’s purchased 12th Street site can fit phased police headquarters; council to decide budget path
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Summary
Consultants reported a 46,000 sq ft space need for a modern police headquarters and said the city’s 12th Street Southeast site can accommodate a phased or full build; council members pressed staff on interim uses for the existing justice center and budget timing tied to a $7 million first phase and a 0.1% public‑safety sales tax.
The City of Auburn’s consultant team told council members at a March 23 study session that a newly purchased site at 12th Street Southeast and Auburn Way South can accommodate space needs for a modern police headquarters, but council must still decide how to fund and phase the project.
Director Galp opened the session by summarizing the 2019–2021 facility master plan, which the council adopted by resolution in 2021 (Resolution 55‑95). The plan recommended relocating evidence facilities as an initial step toward a future headquarters and identified preferred locations near Lehi Park or downtown. "Renovating the existing justice center to meet police’s growth needs was not a 50‑year solution," the director said, explaining why new space was studied.
Bernie O’Donnell, program manager with Rock Project Management, said consultants validated the 2021 assumptions, conducted a facilities condition assessment and completed a space‑needs analysis. "We arrived at roughly 46,000 square feet" as the new headquarters program, O’Donnell said, compared with about 28,000 existing square feet across the current justice center and evidence annex — a shortfall of about 17,000–18,000 square feet. Much of the deficit is driven by health and wellness requirements — gymnasium, showers and lockers — that the department lacks.
Consultants presented two development approaches. One would build a full headquarters at once; the other would phase construction, beginning with a stand‑alone health and wellness facility or evidence relocation and adding secured operations later. O’Donnell said the test‑fit graphic shows a two‑story, 46,000 sq ft building can be sited on the purchased property with room for expansion, required 15% landscape/open‑space setbacks in the P‑1 zone, and separate secured employee parking and public visitor parking.
Council members asked how the existing justice center would be used during or after any transition. "Our initial direction is courts stay where courts are and municipal court should be able to use current district court space initially," Director Galp said, adding that the existing structure is in overall fair condition but some mechanical and finish systems will require maintenance or replacement over time.
Budget was a central line of questioning. Staff said the 2025–26 budget included authority to bond up to $39.1 million for facility improvements across police, parks and public works and allocated about $7 million toward an initial police phase. "What that $7 million buys is exactly the piece we’re testing right now," Director Galp said, noting a decision to pursue a full headquarters would be tied to the council’s later budget process and potentially to revenue from a newly adopted 0.1% public‑safety sales tax.
Council members stressed outreach and design transparency. Several members urged both an online open house and in‑person meetings so neighbors can raise site‑specific concerns such as holding‑cell perceptions, traffic and noise. Consultants said they will host an interactive website and are open to neighborhood open houses and further engagement during any design phase.
What’s next: consultants will complete budget and schedule validation and present final layout concepts in April; any decision to move beyond test fit and into full design or bonding would be considered by council in a later budget cycle.
