By BEX Staff for AZBEX
Gilbert’s police and fire departments are asking for nearly $400M in combined projects to meet the Town’s public safety needs as it approaches build-out.
Both Police Chief Michael Soelberg and Fire Chief Rob Duggan discussed their desired project lists in meetings last month.
Gilbert Police Projects
Soelberg addressed six primary projects for the Gilbert Police Department. Gilbert is ranked one of the safest communities in the country for its size. Soelberg said fulfilling the project requests will help it maintain that status and continue to improve it in the face of ongoing growth.
The six requested Capital Improvement Projects are:
- A new police station in south Gilbert: $92.4M;
- A dedicated crime lab: $81M;
- Phase II of multidisciplinary/cross agency Advocacy Center: $42M;
- Expansion of the Public Safety Building: $41.6M;
- A Police Community Office in the Heritage District: $18.6M, and
- Phase III of the Advocacy Center: $13.8M.
Gilbert Fire Projects
Duggan identified five major projects his department is requesting to help it maintain and improve its degree of service and contributions to public safety.
The Gilbert Fire Department list consists of:
- A new fleet building for equipment service and maintenance: $23.8M;
- Rebuilding Fire Station No. 4: $20.6M;
- Renovating and remodeling Fire Station No. 11: $20.5M;
- Renovation of Fire Stations Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8: $19.3M, and
- Renovation and expansion of the Civic Center Drive fire administration space: $15.6M.
The two departments’ combined requests total more than $389M.
Funding sources for the projects have not been identified. Options include municipal bonds, a general obligation bond, a sales tax increase or some combination of those elements. The Gilbert Town Council is expected to review the projects and bonding options for public safety and other local needs at a spring retreat.