City council members discussed a potential November bond election during their June 23 meeting after receiving recommendations from the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee and reviewing additional public safety facility needs.

The committee recommended seven capital improvement projects totaling $110 million, while city staff presented options for future fire department and emergency communications facilities that could also be considered as part of a bond package.

The Citizens Bond Advisory Committee, a 16-member panel appointed by the Wylie City Council, met June 1, June 8 and June 15 to evaluate and prioritize potential capital projects.

The projects were drawn from a list of proposed capital improvements identified by city staff and finalized by city council, according to City Manager Brent Parker.

The largest recommendation was a $39.5 million public safety package that includes a new fire station, fire administration and emergency operations center facilities, upgrades to 911 communications infrastructure, and additions for training and fleet logistics.

Other projects receiving majority support from the committee include $20 million for a new public works facility, $19.5 million for downtown improvements, $12 million for a new animal shelter, $10 million for upgrades at Founders and Community parks, $6 million for improvements along South Ballard Avenue and Sachse Road, and $3 million for rehabilitation work at public works and animal shelter facilities, parking lot improvements and demolition activities.

The parks package would include lighting, parking and turf improvements.

Committee members did not recommend projects totaling $30 million. Those proposals included $15 million for improvements at East Fork and Avalon Lake parks, $12 million for citywide street and alley repairs, $2 million for solar street lighting along major roadways and $1 million for sidewalk improvements along Alanis Drive and Westgate Way.

During a separate work session, Fire Chief Brandon Blythe presented two options for addressing long-term public safety facility needs.

The first proposal, estimated at approximately $35.5 million, would renovate Fire Station No. 1 (1402 S. Ballard Ave) and Fire Station No. 2 (555 Country Club Road) while constructing a new fire administration building on the Station No. 2 property.

The plan includes site drainage and grading improvements, temporary housing for fire personnel during construction, a 9,000-square-foot fire administration building and renovations to both existing stations. It would also create additional space within the Public Safety Building for police department operations.

A second option, estimated at about $46.4 million, would redevelop the entire Fire Station No. 2 site. The proposal calls for demolition of the existing station and construction of a new 17,500-square-foot Fire Station No. 2, a two-story fire administration building, a dedicated 911 communications center and a relocated training field. The project would also include site improvements, temporary housing during construction and renovations within the Public Safety Building for police use.

According to the presentation, the redevelopment plan allocates approximately $18.4 million for the new fire station, $13.2 million for the fire administration building, $6.8 million for the communications center and $4.4 million for training facilities.

The public safety facility concepts and the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee recommendations were presented for discussion only and have not been formally approved for inclusion in a bond package.

Councilmembers are expected to continue reviewing project priorities and potential bond propositions in the coming weeks. To place a bond election on the November ballot, the city must adopt an ordinance or resolution by August.

Stay informed and support local journalism — subscribe to The Wylie News.