2018-104 Police Department Facility EnhancementsDate: August 17, 2018 Report No. 2018-104
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Information on planned changes to traffic patterns and other facility enhancements for the Denton
Police Department.
BACKGROUND:
The City Manager’s Office recently toured Police Department facilities. During the tour, it was
mentioned that closing and/or abandoning portions of Frame Street and E. Oak Street behind the
Police Department would enhance security for employees as they enter and exit the building. This
change in traffic pattern would entail closing portions of both Frame and Oak for public vehicular
and pedestrian access by adding gates that would be accessible only for public safety vehicles. A
part of this process would also involve closing the narrow alleyway from Railroad Avenue between
the Police Department and the Gohlke Building. The attached map provides specific location
details.
DISCUSSION:
A cross-departmental team including Police, Capital Projects, Fire, Planning, and City Manager’s
Office has convened to begin moving this project forward. The Real Estate Division has been
assigned to identify the property owners in the vicinity, the ingress/egress to those properties, and
any right-of-way/easement needs. Using information collected by Real Estate, options will be
presented to the above mentioned departments on factors that may constrain or impact the project.
Staff will also work with the City Attorney’s Office to detail the required processes to abandon the
alley and street segments. Staff will schedule a future City Council work session to present the
options and seek further direction.
The City Manager’s Office is also coordinating with the Police Department to address concerns
raised during their recent Police facilities tour related to address space constraints, poor lighting,
and work flow circulation. Staff received a proposal from Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects
to perform a 5-10 year concept plan to improve the Police portion of City Hall East and outline
recommendations regarding how the space could be reconfigured, modified, renovated, and
expanded. The scope of the project would include the operations at Police and Dispatch (excluding
the Jail). The project with Brinkley Sargent Wiginton will take approximately 5-7 weeks to
complete. Once the concept plans are finalized, staff would present the information to City and
seek direction on the best option to address the current facility constrains.
Date: August 17, 2018 Report No. 2018-104
CONCLUSION:
In summary, staff will continue to work through the required details to develop options on the
street closure(s) as identified by the Police Department. Staff will also work with the selected
architect to develop concept plan options that will address the Police Department’s current and
near-term work space needs.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Aerial of City Hall East/Police Department
STAFF CONTACTS:
Bobby Smith
Interim Police Chief
(940)-349-7971
Bobby.Smith@cityofdenton.com
Mario Canizares
Assistant City Manager
(940) 349-8535
Mario.Canizares@cityofdenton.com
Alleyway between DPD
and Gohlke building
City Hall East
Police Department Parking
Potential limits of street closure