Formerly housed in a nine-console space in the windowless basement of the Central Police Building, the communications center had become cramped and lacked new technologies critical for the more than 150,000 calls received for emergency and non-emergency services. Through a public safety sales tax, the city secured funding for this new 6,000-sq. ft. facility that houses 911 dispatchers for the police and fire departments.
The bright and spacious center has 14 dispatch consoles, break and training rooms, a 120-ft. radio tower, and parking. The facility also includes several multipurpose spaces, including conference rooms that double as sleeping rooms if needed. Custom furniture allows each employee to modify their space, which allows for maximum comfort and stress reduction.
While every square foot is utilized, the design is both open and flexible and can accommodate future growth and changes as the city continues to grow. Eventually, when fully staffed, this new space will allow for the city to hire as many as 30 employees.