City Public Safety Complex Oversight Committee meets to draft Initial Schematic Designs

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The City of Eagle Pass Public Safety Complex Oversight Committee met on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 , with the architectural firm of Gignac and Associates to begin the process of drafting the initial schematic designs for the new City of Eagle Pass Police and Fire Departments Safety Complex that will be located at the Old National Guard Armory building on South Monroe Street.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated that the meeting with the Oversight Committee and Gignac and Associates went well and that they look forward to reporting updates and plans to the Eagle Pass City Council at future City Council meetings.

Present during the City Public Safety Complex Oversight Committee were Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, City Manager Gloria Barrientos, City Councilwoman Gloria Hernandez, Interim Fire Chief Manuel Mello, Police Lieutenant Alejandro Guedea, and representatives of Gignac and Associates.

Committee members discussed the present and future office and safety needs of both the Police and Fire Departments in determining the initial schematic design of the new Public Safety Complex.

At a June 24, 2014, meeting, the City Council approved and directed City Manager Gloria Barrientos to request proposals for contract procedures within six months and seek project management for the Public Safety Complex.

The City Council then approved the selection of an Architectural/ Engineering firm for the City of Eagle Pass Public Safety Complex at their April 1, 2014 regular monthly meeting. During discussion, City Manager Gloria Barrientos recommended the City to retain the architectural services of Gignac and Associates LLP for the City Public Safety Complex.

The City Council approved to authorize City Manager Gloria Barrientos to negotiate with Gignac and Associates LLP an architectural services contract to design the Public Safety Complex.

The renovations for the City of Eagle Pass Public Safety Complex (Old National Guard Armory) were approved by the City Council as part of the issuance of $8,485,000 (million) in tax exempt obligations or bonds for improvements to municipal buildings, infrastructure, street and construction projects, and programs at their special meeting held on Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

Of the $8.485 Million Bonds, $2 Million will be used for the renovation of the National Guard Armory Building as the new headquarters of the Eagle Pass Police and Fire Departments’ Public Safety Complex.

With the continuing growth of Eagle Pass, a new City Public Safety Complex is long overdue and much needed in the community. Construction of the new City Public Safety Complex is expected to commence in 2015 after the City Public Safety Complex Committee and City Council approve the design and plans of the complex.