Austin to Spend $120M on 2 Buildings for Public Safety Depts

Austin Nears $120M Deal for New Public Safety Headquarters

Austin is finalizing a $120 million plan to consolidate and move public safety headquarters for police, fire, and EMS to a modern facility in South Austin.

City leaders announced on Friday the intent to purchase a 386,000-square-foot facility on South MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) for $107.6 million, with an additional $13 million earmarked for retrofitting. The move is seen as a necessary upgrade from the current 50-plus-year-old, decaying buildings housing the city's public safety headquarters.

Final approval is pending an October 24 vote by the Austin City Council.

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 “All three agencies have been housed in aging, outdated facilities with costly problems ranging from failing mechanical systems and lack of parking to crumbling foundations and inadequate restroom facilities.”

The current headquarters, dispersed throughout the city, are described as "outdated" and "crummy, pathetic, dirt sorry" by Watson during a recent news conference.

The new buildings are located just south of Zilker Park, approximately 3.4 miles from City Hall in downtown Austin. Brandywine Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust, developed and owns the property. The city plans to purchase One Barton Skyway at 1501 South MoPac and Two Barton Skyway at 1601 South MoPac.

Brandywine's website advertises these as modern, luxury offices with amenities such as outdoor seating pavilions, tenant lounges, fitness centers, and a volleyball court.

“This sale represents a strategic business decision tailored to meet both parties’ long-term goals," Bill Redd, executive vice president and senior managing director of Brandywine Realty Trust, said in a written statement. "We commend Mayor Watson and the entire city leadership team for investing in public safety by ensuring that its employees have the work environment they need to succeed in serving our city."

According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, the 2024 appraised value for One Barton Skyway is $54.6 million and $49 million for Two Barton Skyway. The purchase will be financed through certificates of obligation, allowing the government to borrow money without voter approval.

Building a new, comparable facility would cost around $234 million, according to city estimates.

“Revitalizing existing buildings is a wise investment as we will use existing infrastructure, minimizing the need for new construction costs,” Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said in the news release.

The purchase comes amid a softened office market, influenced by remote and hybrid work trends following the COVID-19 pandemic. The appraised value for Two Barton Skyway has decreased nearly 40% since 2022.

“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," Watson said in the news release.

Statesman staff reporter Shonda Novak contributed to this report.