But we wonder how many folks in Salt Lake City realize that their police and fire departments are headquartered in a high-rise building constructed in 1958. If "the big one" rocks our world, the fire and police dispatch centers there could end up in a pile of rubble, crippling the city's emergency response.
For us, that's the trump card in the argument to support Proposition 1, a $192 million general obligation bond issue to build a new headquarters building for the city's police and fire services, including an emergency operations center constructed to withstand earthquake and tornado, by the end of 2011. The bond also would pay for a new joint fire station and police building in Sugar House and a new fire station and training center in Glendale.
Unfortunately, we fear that Salt Lake City voters will go to the polls Nov. 6, look at the $192 million price tag, suffer sticker shock and vote against the bond. We acknowledge the city isn't talking chump change here. If the bond issue passes, it will increase annual property taxes on a $297,000 home by $175.
Several observers, including this newspaper, have asked if the price of these projects could be reduced by building them in phases.
The answer is yes, but the savings also could be eaten up by construction inflation. Delay might not save a dime.
City officials assure us, however, that $192 million is the bond ceiling, not the floor. If they can do it for less, they will. If, for example, they determine that it makes better budget sense for the police department to lease space for a precinct station in Sugar House, they will.
To that end, City Hall is drafting an ordinance to put an 11-member Public Safety Facilities Advisory Committee in place. It would be appointed by the mayor and City Council. Its members would have experience in finance, construction management, public safety, engineering, real estate or business management.
Elected officials would retain the final say, however.
What no one questions is the need for a new headquarters building. Besides its shortcomings as a dispatch center, there are about 600 employees crammed into space that the original owner built for 275. Evidence for criminal cases is stuffed in a leaky basement. Detectives sit practically cheek to cheek. Interview rooms are not secure.
The new building is budgeted at $74 million. A new parking structure and evidence storage facility that could accommodate cars and trucks would cost another $38 million.
Some critics argue that the city could avoid paying $26 million for an emergency operations center by throwing in with Salt Lake County. But the county's EOC is located outside the city, and given the county's abysmal track record with its Valley Emergency Communications Center, we think that's a bad bet.
Considering these facilities together, the city has made a good case for $138 million of the bond.
In addition, the combined fire and police station in Sugar House would cost $31 million. A new fire station and training center in Glendale would cost $23 million. The case for those appears less compelling, but the advisory committee can help to re-evaluate them.
Bottom line: In construction, time is money. We urge voters to keep "the big one" in mind and vote for Proposition 1.
