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Bellaire council hears $16.35 million plan to convert Glenmont warehouse into a consolidated public works facility
Summary
City staff and architects presented plans to repurpose the 5235 Glenmont warehouse into a 46,000 sq ft public works facility with police evidence storage, parks/facilities space, and secure storage; updated project estimate is $16.35 million and construction is targeted to start in October with completion in early September 2027, pending Houston permitting and a guaranteed maximum price this fall.
City officials presented detailed drawings and a schedule April 6 for converting the Glenmont property at 5235 Glenmont into a consolidated Bellaire Public Works facility. Beth Jones, assistant city manager and city engineer, said the 2.5‑acre site includes about 46,000 square feet of existing warehouse space and will be reconfigured to house public works operations, parks and facilities storage, and a secure police evidence-processing area.
"We purchased the Glenmont property in March 2025," Jones said. "The updated project costs now that we actually have a site plan and a design is expected to be closer to a total project cost of $16,350,000." Jeff Gerber, CEO of architecture firm PGAL, walked council through the site plan, interior program and exterior security measures, including fenced capture and impound zones and new canopies for fleet parking.
Council and staff flagged operational items that will require additional planning. Interim Police Chief Shane O'Sullivan said the larger evidence bay will improve current storage for vehicles and bulky evidence. Gerber and Jones told the council the project team plans to submit construction documents for permitting in Houston next week and that permitting could take up to six months.
The city anticipates receiving a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) this summer and expects construction to begin in October, contingent on tenant lease and permitting, and finish in early September 2027. Jones said design costs of about $650,000 have already been appropriated in the CIP and that furniture, fixtures and contingencies are budgeted at approximately $1.1 million.
Council members asked about fleet parking, vehicle wash options, the ability to retrofit solar and electric-vehicle charging stations, and whether the unconditioned warehouse space could be reconfigured in the future. Gerber said the design leaves flexibility for future build‑outs and that the canopy structure could accept solar panels; he also noted the warehouse will not be fully conditioned (roughly 10,000 sq ft will be conditioned by design).
Next steps for the project include Houston permitting, the CMAR preparing a GMP for council review, a bond/funding item planned for mid‑June to initiate the bonding timeline, and a council award of construction this August. City staff said the plan is intended to consolidate operations and reduce long‑term facility costs across multiple departments.
The presentation does not authorize construction; it summarizes design, budget estimates and schedule. Council did not vote on construction authority at the meeting.
