Austin City Council Approves $107.6M Purchase for New Public Safety Headquarters

The Austin City Council has approved the purchase of a 386,000-square-foot facility in Southwest Austin to serve as a consolidated headquarters for the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. Located at 1501 and 1601 S. Mopac Expressway, the new public safety headquarters will enhance the city’s emergency response capabilities, allowing real-time coordination among these critical services.

The facility’s $107.6 million purchase price will be funded through Certificates of Obligation, with an additional $3 million earmarked for renovations and $9 million for design services to tailor the building for public safety needs. Staff will report final renovation costs after completing the design phase.

This new headquarters is intended to replace current facilities—spanning 54 to 64 years old—which are scattered across Austin and require extensive upgrades. By consolidating public safety operations in one location, the city expects to improve inter-departmental communication, leading to faster response times and more effective service to the community.