Edmond plans demolition of administration building to make room for public safety center

Utility customer service, human resources and financial services, now in the downtown administration building, and about 50 employees will have to be relocated, said Assistant City Manager Steve Commons.

City staff is looking at the possibility of leasing office space.

At a workshop this week, council members spoke in favor of getting rid of the administration building that they say was once a parking garage and is not energy efficient.

They gave architects Frankfurt Short and Bruza the go-ahead for design plans for the center that will house police headquarters, 911 communications and emergency management operations.

“That has been my preferred site from the beginning,” Mayor Charles Lamb said.

Voters on Oct. 11 approved a half-cent sales tax increase for five years to build a $25.5 million public safety center and second building that is expected to meet the city's needs for 20 to 25 years.

Council members are considering constructing a 16,000-square-foot building for a crime lab and evidence storage at a second location and another 8,000 square feet for vehicle storage at a different location.

They are looking at city-owned property just west of 33rd Street and Broadway. The James H. Harrod Vehicle Maintenance Facility was once on the property. A city water storage tank is now on the property.