The City of Friendswood is expected to begin 2022 by awarding contracts for large capital improvement projects, including the rebuilding and expansion of Fire Station No. 2 as well as for the expansion of the Public Safety Building.
Gil Arias, the city’s director of engineering, said he expects to submit guaranteed maximum price contracts to the city council this month. Voters approved both projects in 2019 through a referendum on the $9.1 million bond.
Looking to make more space to house the approximately 100 police officers, police department employees, fire guards and municipal court employees who work at the Public Safety Building, 1600 Whitaker Drive, the city plans to expand the facility from about 28,000 to 47,000 square feet.
The current space, built in 2007, was intended to support a strong police department with 70 employees. City officials said the building was always intended to include a second phase of construction to accommodate more employees as Friendswood grew.
Expansion plans include an additional office, storage, meeting and interview room for the police department. The improvements, which also include upgraded meeting rooms with improved viewing systems, are expected to take about a year.
A contract for a guaranteed maximum price is also expected this month for the city’s plan to rebuild Fire Station 2 and build a new training facility on 2605 W Parkwood Drive. The station was last rehabilitated in 2004 after being damaged by a storm.
Arias and his staff worked with members of the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department throughout the design process to ensure that the new facilities served the department’s needs.
Stephen Rea, the city’s assistant city manager, attributed the need for both projects to the city’s continued growth.
“As the city grows, so do the services needed to support it,” he said. “Also, we need to take care of the staff (in the Public Safety Building), and this expansion will allow for more space and a more cohesive work environment.”
The new year will also see the city’s parks management and keep Friendswood Beautiful rewarding efforts to create the Friendswood Fairy Trail and pollinator garden in Stevenson Park.
City Manager Murat Kabiri said the Houston-Galveston District Council will award these organizations the Parks and Natural Areas award in February.
“We applaud the efforts,” Kaberi said. “They’re doing a two-day job to keep our city looking the way it is.”