Dallas public safety departments are seeking $730 million from the 2024 Capital Bond Program, which totals $1 billion, with officials saying new facilities are needed and existing facilities must be rehabilitated.
The Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire-Rescue laid their requests before the City Council Public Safety Committee during a meeting last week.
The police department asked for $465 million, while the fire department said it needs $265 million.
DPD said it must construct several new facilities and a new patrol station while conducting “major maintenance” at several existing facilities, according to a presentation from DPD and DFR officials.
“We wait too long to address these problems until they become very big problems,” Mike Mata, Dallas Police Association president, told NBC 5. “We have $1 billion for probably a $3 billion problem as far as facilities.”
The highest priority for the DPD is building a new Dallas Police Academy facility. Officials are asking for between $25 million and $50 million from the bond for this project — a partnership with UNT Dallas that will include classrooms, an indoor shooting range, and training facilities.
While the total cost is estimated to be $150 million, officials plan to secure $20 million from state taxpayer money and gather between $55 million and $80 million from private funding.
Other “top priority projects” mentioned in the presentation include replacing a central patrol, traffic, and tactical building and constructing a new joint facility to function as a property room, auto pound, and storage for physical evidence.
DFR’s priorities include replacing seven existing stations, conducting “major maintenance” at 32 stations, and creating five new stations.
“On your worst day you want us to be as close as possible and be able to get to you as fast as possible,” Jim McDade, president of the Dallas Firefighters Association, told NBC 5. “You don’t want to be sitting around waiting as you watch your house go down in flames because we’re just too far away.”
McDade added that upgrading the DFR training facility is “a huge need that we have that must remain in the bond.”
During Monday’s meeting, council members reiterated that public safety is their highest priority.
Dallas voters will decide whether to approve the upcoming $1 billion bond referendum in May next year.
