ARANSAS PASS, Texas — Aransas Pass is considering an option to build a new fire station and expand its police department.
It will be discussed at a city council special session next week, which city leaders said is critical to determine what will happen next.
It is an idea that officials said has been discussed by the city for more than a year. They said now is the time to make changes to the police and fire department facilities that would address their needs at the best price.
"Currently, we're housing about five guys in a dorm room that was built for two guys," Aransas Pass Fire Chief Nathan Kelley said.
Kelley said a new fire station would give them enough space for their equipment and 18 total firefighters. They could expand to six firefighters per shift and have facilities for females. He said storage was also a factor.
"One thing that we are trying to do is bring all the, all of our trucks inside, so that they're not out in the weather all the time," Kelley said. "So, it takes care of our trucks."
Kelley said firefighters would have more space to train and do schoolwork as needed. He said it can also help with recruitment of firefighters. Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard said renovating and expanding the police department to take over the space after the fire department moves out can provide more room for his officers.
"We can kind of inherit their area, bring it up to modern code and design, and actually use part of the bay and stuff like that to expand our services," Blanchard said.
There are 32 police officers at APPD, and Blanchard said the changes could help recruit even more.
"When you provide good tools, good environment and you show or demonstrate that you take care of your staff, your staff will take care of your community and the mission of the agency," Blanchard said.
He said more space for the police station can also help them invite the community there for events.
Aransas Pass City Manager Gary Edwards said a citywide survey conducted last summer found that 80% of respondents strongly supported both projects.
"That's a very large indication that the, at that time anyway, that the public supported the idea as long as there's not a tax increase," Edwards said.
Edwards said the total cost of both projects is $16 million. If approved on Monday, work will begin right away and should be complete in about a year to a year and a half.
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