City of Austin Approves $120m Public Safety Campus Acquisition

Mayor Kirk Watson announced Friday, October 11th, 2024 that the City of Austin will purchase a 386,000-square-foot facility in Southwest Austin near Zilker Park and in close proximity to downtown that will serve as a consolidated headquarters for Austin Police, Austin Fire, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.

“This purchase represents a historic opportunity to co-locate our public safety administrative and strategic functions, allowing for unprecedented collaboration and efficiencies,” Watson said. “All three agencies have been housed in aging, outdated facilities with costly problems ranging from failing mechanical systems and lack of parking to crumbling foundations and inadequate restroom facilities.

“This opportunity also allows the City to take advantage of the current commercial real estate market to acquire a modern facility that will generate significant cost savings and increased efficiencies in the long run and improve the delivery of vital public safety services. Not to mention providing proper working conditions for our sworn and non-sworn personnel.” The City Council voted to approve the acquisition at its meeting on Oct. 24.

Co-locating public safety departments will significantly enhance the ability to respond to emergencies and manage incidents more efficiently by facilitating real-time communication and coordination among Austin Police, Austin Fire and Austin-Travis County EMS. These joint efforts under one roof will create a shared space that supports training, streamlines information sharing, and promotes a cohesive operational strategy, leading to improved service and stronger public safety outcomes.

The purchase price of the building is $120 million and is proposed to be funded through the issuance of Certificates of Obligation. Building a new comparable facility would cost the City approximately $234 million, or $600 per square foot, more than double the purchase price. The City expects to spend approximately $3 million in initial renovations and $9 million in design services to ensure the space suits specific public safety needs. City staff will come back to Council with total renovation costs once the design phase is complete. The building itself and its systems have been meticulously maintained and are in excellent condition.

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