Public Safety Building Project
Summary
The City of Puyallup is working on a project to fund a new Public Safety Building. The new building would be a modern facility and house the Police and Jail all under one roof. The new building would be located at 600 39th Ave SE next to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Station 72. Other features of the new building include space for all police officers. Additionally, the new jail would have adequate room to separate inmates and space for rehabilitative services such as mental health, medical, and counseling. In addition to the new facility, the project would include a police substation located in downtown Puyallup. The substation would be located inside City Hall on the first floor, allowing residents of downtown access to Police services.
The following webpage contains information about the new Public Safety Building and updates on a potential bond measure to fund the project.
Project Updates
2017 – The City hires Mackenzie Consulting to perform a feasibility study on the new Public Safety Building.
July 19, 2019 – City Council presentation on Mackenzie report and findings.
2020 – The project was put on pause due to the pandemic and concerns over cost estimates.
March 25 – 30, 2021 – Elway conducts research in the community about a new Public Safety Building.
June 15, 2021 – City Council approves first reading of an ordinance authorizing ballot measure in the amount of $82 million.
July 13, 2021 – City Council approves second reading of an ordinance authorizing ballot measure.
November 2, 2021 - The November election results determined that the ballot measure did not meet the required voter criteria to pass.
November 23, 2021 - City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing a new ballot measure to be placed on the February 2022 ballot for $81 million.
December 7, 2021 - City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the ballot measure to be placed on the February 2022 ballot.
February 2022 - The February election results determined that the ballot measure did not meet the required voter criteria to pass. City staff and Council decided to go back to the drawing board and re-examine the project.
April 2023 - City Council forms an ad-hoc committee to take a deep dive into the project and find ways to bring the cost down. The committee met with staff and the consultant several times to consider different funding options. The committee presented its findings to Council and was able to decrease the total project cost by $9 million, or roughly 10 percent. This included decreasing the number of jail beds and the total square footage of the police station and jail.
May 2023 - City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance to fund a new building through the issuance of a bond in the amount of $56 million. The total estimated cost would be $76 million and would be paid with the bonds plus non-voted councilmanic bonds of $20 million.
In 1968, the current Public Safety Building was established in downtown at 311 W Pioneer Avenue. At the time, Puyallup’s population was roughly 14,000. The facility was built based on the City's population size and level of law enforcement service needs at the time, which was approximately 23 police staff. The Jail was built attached to the facility and was designed to hold 21 inmates.
In this 50-year time frame, Puyallup’s population has grown to over 43,000. To meet the demands of this increase in population, the Police Department has grown to staff 68 police officers and approximately 95 total employees. The Jail now holds 52 inmates and is overcrowded. This has created issues with officers performing their duties due to overcrowded and inadequate workspace. Storage for evidence and equipment is at capacity due to the lack of space available in the current building. As a result, property and evidence storage is spread across four separate facilities within the City, creating inefficiencies for the department. Additionally, the age of the building has resulted in an increased need for constant repairs and maintenance.
In 2017, the City hired MacKenzie Consulting to conduct research and provide a feasibility study for a new building. In July 2019, a report was prepared and presented to City Council, with their recommendations. The Feasibility Report can be reviewed in the Documents section of this page.
The Report proposed multiple options for a new Public Safety Building. City Council expressed interest in the 39th Ave SE option. However, they were concerned about the building costs, which were nearly $120 million. Council directed staff and the consultant to go back and research a new, lower-cost option for the location. But in 2020, due to the pandemic, the project was delayed.
In 2021, the project was re-evaluated by staff and City Council, and a new cost estimate of $82.7 million was determined. The City hired consulting firm Elway Research, Inc. to conduct a public poll about a new Public Safety Building in March 2021. A total of 250 households were interviewed by phone and online, and a report was created and presented in April 2021. To view the report, please visit our Documents section.
In July 2021, the Puyallup City Council voted and approved an ordinance that would authorize a bond measure for the Public Safety Building to appear on the November 2021 ballot.
The State of Washington requires that bond measures must obtain at least 60 percent "Yes" votes and obtain at least 40 percent voter turnout, from the previous general election, to validate. In November 2021, the bond measure met the voter turnout threshold but received 59.3 percent "Yes" votes. Additionally, there were several hundred undervotes, which means residents neither voted "Yes" nor "No."
The City Council determined that more voter education is needed and agreed to place the bond measure back out in 2022. In December 2021, Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the bond to be placed on the ballot in February 2022. Council did make one change to the bond, which was the amount. The bond amount is $81 million. Net proceeds from the sale of the existing Public Safety Building would be used towards the project cost if the bond were approved.
At the February 2022 election, the bond measure did not meet the 60 percent threshold. City staff and Council decided to return to the drawing board and re-evaluate the project.
Project Cost
Please check back here for updated cost estimates on the Public Safety Building.
FAQs:
Why is the Puyallup Police Department doing this?
The original building was intended to house approximately 23 police staff. The PPD currently has approximately 95 employees and lacks the space to provide sufficient service. Since 1968, when the current building was established, Puyallup has grown significantly. The City has become more populated and its geographic boundary has increased in size. However, the current police building has not kept pace with this growth. The Police Department has outgrown the building.
What are the current building issues?
The current building has served the community for over 50 years. However, the building is showing its age. Repairs that are needed include a new roof, plumbing and sewer system, HVAC, and a telecom system. These repairs are costly and will continue to rise. Additionally, the jail is overcrowded, which has caused issues with management of inmates. The jail was originally designed for 21 inmates. Today, it houses 52 inmates.
Storage for equipment and evidence is at capacity. Officers have to create makeshift storage areas to accommodate the lack of space. The building has also run out of workspace for officers. As a result, officers are working in areas that were originally designed as closets, storage rooms, and work benches. The Department also has officers working off-site in leased locations due to insufficient office space. A lack of parking has made it difficult for officers to park their patrol vehicles and for visitors to access the building.
The current building is also located within a Lahar zone, making it subject to an emergency event. If a natural disaster were to occur, the building would be at risk of being demolished, which would impact PPD's ability to deliver critical emergency services.
The building is also non-compliant with ADA requirements, specifically regarding doorways, sink and counter heights, and turning clearances.
How much will this cost and who is paying for it?
The total cost of the project, at this time, is $76 million. However, the bond will be issued for $56 million, with the remaining about coming out of $20 million in council manic bonds. Councilmanic bonds are bonds issued directly by the City to itself and are paid back through internal funds. The bonds would be issued for 30 years. Puyallup households would see an additional assessment on their property tax bills.
What is the cost breakdown for the building and how much will I pay in additional taxes?
The additional tax is determined by a Puyallup homeowner's assessed property value. An average household can expect to pay roughly $188 extra per year in property taxes, or about $16 per month if the bond is approved.
Where will this new building be located?
The new Public Safety Building would be located at 600 39th Ave SE next to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Station 72. The City purchased the adjacent lot next door with the intention of utilizing the space for a future City building. This location, along with the downtown police substation, would position the Department within each of the City’s identified regional growth centers.
Why did the City choose this location?
The City decided on the location at 600 39th Ave SE based on several factors. From consulting the Feasibility Report developed by Mackenzie, and from Council feedback, the City decided on this location for the following reasons:
- The building would be located out of a lahar zone. Currently, the existing building is located within a lahar zone and is subject to an emergency event. If a natural disaster were to occur, the current building would be at risk of being demolished, which would impact PPD's ability to deliver critical emergency services.
- The City owns the property, which was purchased with the intention of building a public service facility.
- Being next door to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue would enhance emergency responses city-wide.
- District 3 is estimated to grow in the coming decades. In the City’s Comprehensive Plan and South Hill Neighborhood Plan, District 3 was identified as an area of significant growth potential in the future. Based on these plans, the new building would be well-positioned to service this projected growth.
- The PPD would still have a location downtown. Part of the bond would fund a Police Substation downtown, which would be located on the first floor of City Hall. There, residents can access Police services.
How will this impact the Municipal Court?
The Municipal Court is currently in a separate, leased space downtown at 929 E. Main. The City leases the space for close to $200,000 a year. The Court, like the current PPD building, is overcrowded. The Court, being located within a business office building, has considerable security issues. Courtrooms and staff offices are at risk of being compromised by an unforeseen threat or event. Additionally, the building lacks sufficient parking for customers and staff.
The current bond would not include the Court as part of the project. However, it would include an option to one day build a Courthouse on the property in the future.
You’re moving it out of downtown? I live in downtown. Will this impact response time to issues downtown?
The location of the physical Police Department will not affect response times to emergencies. Police officers respond to emergencies from within their patrol districts throughout the City. There are four patrol districts in the City, and PPD maintains at least one patrol officer within each district 24/7. The PPD would retain a physical space downtown through a Substation, located on the first floor of City Hall at 333 S. Meridian. There, residents will still be able to access police services.
What will happen to the current building?
The City is still weighing its options on what to do with the current building if the bond measure is approved. The City’s downtown economic development plan and comprehensive plan, which were developed with significant public input over several years, envisions more mixed-use (i.e. residential & retail) development in downtown. All decisions regarding the future of this lot will be made public at future City Council meetings with public input.
Public Safety Building Tours
The Puyallup Police Department invites you to tour the current Public Safety Building, get a hands-on, personalized walk-thru of the facility, and learn more about its current condition.
Schedule
Please check back here for an updated list of building tours.
Details
Get a chance to meet those who serve and protect your community. Questions are encouraged throughout the duration of the tours. Tour participants must pass a criminal history screening and provide a copy of state-issued identification. To register, please contact Nichole McNiven at nmcniven@puyallupwa.gov.
Conversations with the Chief
Puyallup Police Chief Scott Engle invites you to have a conversation! Let us know your comments, concerns, or compliments. Educational information about the proposed Public Safety Building will be presented. Get your questions answered at one of these educational events.
Schedule
Please check back here for more information.
How to Learn More
Please contact the Puyallup Police Department Administrative Office at 253-841-5415.
Disclaimer
This information is being published for educational purposes only. It is intended to educate residents about the project and to help them make an informed decision. This webpage is not an endorsement by the City of Puyallup and Puyallup Police Department.