By Pam Moore for Brockway Realty
While my son was in elementary school, I discovered I could take him on a tour of our local (League City) Police Department. Hand-in-hand we walked through the fingerprint area and down the hall to the 'holding tank' of the facility. The officer made sure to remark to my son, "This is where people wind up who make bad decisions. You don't want to get into trouble and wind up here!" My quiet, wide-eyed child nodded his head in agreement. My son is now a senior in high school and still remembers touring the jail. During that tour I felt the Police Department could really use an upgrade; now these facilities are about to change in a major way.
Before I go further, here is some history about plans for the City’s new facility. According to a study titled "Socioeconomic Characteristics for League City, Texas: 2000-2025”, League City's estimated 2025 build-out population will exceed 154,000. The study projected the need for more police personnel and Court space. In July 2008, a needs assessment and feasibility study was completed which identified a new Public Safety Building as a priority. In July 2012, a recommendation was made to remove Courts from the plan, which reduced the estimated construction cost. In October, the approval came for a facility that will be approximately 71,600 sq. ft. with a little over 24,000 sq. ft. left for future expansion. The architectural firm approved by the City is PGAL; JE Dunn Construction is the site contractor.
With shovels in their hands, League City officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony which took place on October 31st at the site for the new Public Safety Building, located at 555 West Walker Street. The two-story building will house the City’s Police Department and jail, Fire Department administrative personnel, the Fire Marshal's office and City Emergency Management office. The building has been designed to withstand a Category 4 hurricane. According to the City of League City's News Release, Mayor Tim Paulissen said, "This facility will be a key component of our public service operations on a day to day basis, bit it will also provide a safe place to house employees during a hurricane situation, which would assist the City in getting services running again, as quickly as possible."
League City continues to grow, and so does my son who will be off to college soon. I am sure he will continue to remember the tour he took as a child, and will not see the inside of the new facility – that is, unless he has official business to take care of!
Photo from Galveston Daily News
The City of League City’s new public safety building will be able to withstand winds up to 146 mph, the strength of a Category 4 hurricane. Construction costs are expected to be approximately $24 million, and construction is scheduled to last 18 months.
Brockway Realty is a full service residential and commercial real estate brokerage based in League City, serving the League City, Clear Lake and Houston, Texas markets with over 20 agents. Member, League City Regional Chamber of Commerce
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