Seward council approves $580,000 purchase of 2.7 acres for future police facility after public traffic and housing concerns

The Seward City Council voted to authorize the purchase of 2.7 acres at 104 Benson Drive for $580,000 to reserve a site for a future police facility and emergency operations center.

Deputy City Manager Jason Bickling told the council that a 2023 public-safety feasibility study found existing police and fire facilities to be "outdated, significantly undersized" and recommended a police facility lot of roughly 2 acres located outside the most recent tsunami inundation zone. Bickling said the proposed site meets the study's size needs and is outside the updated inundation line; the administration also compared recent municipal land sales to show the price aligns with the local market.

The matter prompted several residents to speak during a public hearing. Lori Draper, who said she walks past the property regularly, urged the city to consider reserving part of the land for long-term residential rentals rather than taking the entire parcel off the tax rolls. "We need long-term residential rentals," Draper told council, arguing that carving out housing from the 11-acre site could meet unmet housing demand while still allowing public safety uses. Sierra Rowland, a neighbor with young children, said she supported the site as a community asset and suggested the facility could include family-oriented amenities.

Administration acknowledged the housing shortage and traffic concerns. Bickling said the police facility itself generates limited traffic because officers frequently respond from the field, and noted staff is working with the borough and the school district on additional access points to disperse school-related traffic. He said the site-selection work included a recent site evaluation and that the project is expected to play out over a five- to ten-year timeframe.

Council member Barnwell and others said their initial concerns about traffic had largely been addressed by the administration's analysis and planned mitigation work. Council member Osenga recused themself from the discussion and vote because of a family-member connection to the seller; the remaining council members voted to approve resolution 2025-096.

Next steps include finalizing the purchase and continuing site evaluation, design standard discussion and coordination with the school district and borough on access improvements. Administration noted the facility will not include a jail and that keeping services like the DMV in city hall better serves the public.

The resolution was approved by the council during the Oct. 13 meeting; administration characterized the acquisition as a long-term investment in public-safety infrastructure.