Commission endorses public safety campus expansion; council told bids came in below earlier estimates

Eric, a city planning staff member, presented the amended site and building plan for the public safety campus (project 16‑2026‑00609), describing an expansion and remodel to consolidate fire, EMS and police functions in a roughly 100,000 square‑foot facility. Staff said work will include a new multi‑story fire wing with dormitories for 24‑hour staffing, a decontamination 'hot zone' to reduce firefighter carcinogen exposures, remodel and evidence‑processing enhancements for police, K9 suites, dedicated interview rooms and space to accommodate behavioral health and social‑work partners.

Staff noted that the project is funded in part by a voter‑approved sales tax measure (approved Nov 2024) that authorized up to $50 million over a 20‑year period for the project; construction is slated to begin spring 2026. Commissioners asked about temporary relocation of services during construction (staff: some services will operate from other fire stations and city hall), architectural materials and how the building would fit with Central Park, visitor and staff parking layouts, and redundancy in gate design. County review influenced the design of the site's one‑way drive to accommodate northbound traffic entering the site without unsafe U‑turns on Radio Drive.

Commissioners also confirmed elevators, K9 and evidence needs; staff clarified the drone units are not yet funded as capital items though infrastructure is included in the design. Council member Steve Morris told the commission that construction bids had come in substantially below earlier staff estimates — $59.3 million including alternates — and that the package including selected alternates will be presented to the council for contract award. The commission moved, seconded and approved the amended site and building plan and the project will be on the council agenda for contract consideration.