Sugar Land City Council is moving forward on two voter-approved public safety projects. The two projects – the approval of an $8 million construction contract to fund phase two of the City’s Public Safety Training Facility and the approval of a resolution to utilize the construction manager at risk (CMAR) procurement method to build a new emergency operations and dispatch center – will drive Sugar Land’s public safety to the next level.
The new Public Safety Training Facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and will accommodate simulation training involving close-quarters, non-lethal, force-on-force practice in a short-range environment. An apparatus and shoot building will include six bays for department vehicles, some of which are currently stored in covered storage areas, and an indoor shooting range for the police department. The enclosed space will allow for consolidated storage of various pieces of equipment that are stored throughout the city at various fire stations and other city facilities. This space will also allow for advanced indoor training regardless of weather conditions.
The new building will accommodate incident command simulation training, EMS training, smoke diver and “saving your own” safety programs and a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus confidence course. The facilities will also include a driving pad to enable various skills training with motorcycles, ambulances, fire engines and public works vehicles.
The EOC and dispatch center project was part of four general obligation bond propositions totaling $90.76 million decisively approved by Sugar Land voters on Nov. 5, 2019. The projects included in the propositions were selected based on extensive planning through various master plans, City Council input and the results of citizen satisfaction surveys that indicated drainage, public safety and traffic/mobility are the top three priorities for residents. The CMAR team will work to ensure Sugar Land’s EOC and dispatch center incorporates industry-wide best practices, durable construction and a layout that’s easy to operate and maintain. The process will result in a guaranteed maximum price for construction.