Dallas voters have heard the number: $443 million.

But understanding Dallas’ proposed Public Safety Bond requires looking beyond the total price tag and examining the facilities, existing conditions and public-safety operations behind each proposed investment.

The Public Safety Bond would authorize $443 million in general obligation debt for five facility projects: $82 million for the Dallas Police Department Law Enforcement Training Center, $149 million for a Public Safety Training Complex, $40 million for an Emergency Operations Center and 911 facility, $150 million for a consolidated DPD property room, evidentiary vehicle storage facility and crime lab, and $22 million to replace Fire Station No. 4.

As part of Dallas Weekly’s continuing voter education coverage, we’re taking the next step in our Public Safety Bond explainer: looking at what the City says those investments are intended to address.

Two Training Facilities — With Two Different Purposes

Together, the two law-enforcement training projects represent $231 million of the proposed $443 million bond, making training the largest combined area of proposed investment.

But the Law Enforcement Training Center and Public Safety Training Complex are not the same project.

The Law Enforcement Training Center at UNT Dallas is a $227 million project intended to replace and modernize DPD’s current training facilities. Plans include classrooms, administrative space, recruit and in-service officer training, reality-based training areas, health and fitness facilities, and space associated with criminal justice education.

Of the total project cost, the City says $145 million has already been committed through the 2024 Bond Program, state grants and private funding. The Public Safety Bond would provide the remaining $82 million.

The proposed Public Safety Training Complex, meanwhile, would serve a different function.

Planned for more than 60 acres at Dallas Executive Airport, the complex is designed for advanced, scenario-based training. Plans include an emergency vehicle operations course, driving and skid pads, a simulated street grid, an outdoor tactical village, firearm ranges, an obstacle course and supporting facilities.

The project has an estimated total cost of $170 million. The City identifies $21 million from airport enabling infrastructure and anticipated private sponsorship, leaving $149 million proposed through the Public Safety Bond.

Bringing 911 and Emergency Operations Together

Another $40 million is proposed for a facility combining two critical City functions: Dallas’ 911 call center and Emergency Operations Center.

The Emergency Operations Center is responsible for coordinating the City’s public-safety response during major emergencies and disasters, while the 911 operation handles emergency calls during daily operations.

According to the City, both are considered critical infrastructure, and the proposed project would place them together in an existing City-owned facility designed or adapted for greater security and resiliency. The final site remains subject to due diligence.

The estimated cost is $40 million, with the full amount proposed through the Public Safety Bond.

An Evidence Facility Already Beyond Capacity

The largest single allocation in the Public Safety Bond is $150 million for a proposed consolidated DPD property room, evidentiary vehicle storage facility and crime lab.

And one number helps explain why the facility is part of the discussion.

According to the City of Dallas, DPD’s current property room is operating at 125% above capacity.

Currently, the department’s property room, crime-scene lab, evidentiary vehicle storage, and salvage and bait-car operations are spread among three locations.

The proposed project would consolidate those functions at one site, with plans including controlled-environment evidence storage, forensic work areas and dedicated vehicle holding areas intended to support investigative operations and evidence chain-of-custody procedures.

The City is evaluating potential locations. A City-owned site carries an estimated $150 million cost, while an alternate undeveloped location is estimated at $232 million before land acquisition. The bond request itself is $150 million.

Replacing a Fire Station That Has Served Dallas Since 1953

The smallest allocation in the package—$22 million—would replace Fire Station No. 4.

The existing station at 816 S. Akard Street has served its response area since 1953 and is identified by the City as Dallas Fire-Rescue’s highest-priority station for replacement.

According to the City, the existing site is too small for the planned five-apparatus-bay replacement station.

Plans for the replacement include updated operational and living spaces, faster-opening bay doors, decontamination areas, an emergency storm shelter, fitness space, secure employee parking and ADA-compliant public areas.

The full estimated $22 million cost is included in the Public Safety Bond.

Understanding the Full $443 Million

Taken together, the proposed allocations are:

$82 million — Law Enforcement Training Center
$149 million — Public Safety Training Complex
$40 million — Emergency Operations Center + 911 Facility
$150 million — DPD Property Room, Evidentiary Vehicle Storage + Crime Lab
$22 million — Fire Station No. 4 Replacement

TOTAL: $443 MILLION

If authorized, the City estimates repayment of the bonds, including principal and interest, at approximately $629.6 million over a term not to exceed 20 years, based on current market conditions. The City also states that while Texas law requires bond ballot language to include the statement “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE,” the City’s tax rate is not anticipated to increase as a result of this bond program.

Beyond the Number

Public conversations about a $443 million investment can quickly become conversations about a single number.

Dallas Weekly’s goal is to make sure our readers can also see what sits behind that number.

What facilities are being proposed? What conditions are they intended to address? What has already been funded? What remains unfunded? And what would the City be authorized to finance?

Those are questions worth understanding before making a decision.

Dallas Weekly does not tell our readers how to vote. Our responsibility is to provide our community with accessible information, context and resources to better understand the decisions appearing before them.

Early voting continues through October 30. Election Day is November 3.

Continue following Dallas Weekly’s voter coverage and Public Safety Bond explainer series at DallasWeekly.com.

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