Over the past 20 years, the Bee Cave Police Department has more than tripled in size. While the number of police officers is increasing, the police force currently operates out of the city’s former town hall—a one-story municipal building intended for a smaller population, which Police Chief Brian Jones said the department has outgrown.
Next door to the police station, Lake Travis Fire Rescue Station 603 is unable to call in extra crews during times of emergency due to a lack of space.
To address the needs of both departments, the city has proposed constructing a new public safety building to house both LTFR and Bee Cave police, providing both departments with over 20,000 square feet of additional space and modernized facilities through use of the city’s general fund.
The overview
The proposal for the new building will appear on the May 3 election ballot in Bee Cave, following the passing of Proposition G in November, which requires all new city developments to be approved by public vote.
The new building is intended to improve conditions for both LTFR and Bee Cave police.
The current Bee Cave police station, located at 13333 Hwy. 71, houses 22 police officers in total. The existing building, built in 1999 as a city hall, lacks adequate facilities such as desk space, restrooms and interview rooms, Jones said. Lake Travis Fire Rescue Station 603 faces similar challenges with facilities, among other issues.
In total, the project is expected to cost around $31 million, with over half of that funding coming from the city and the rest from Lake Travis Fire Rescue.
The police station
At the current police station, there are two restrooms for both the public and staff, and the station’s on-site shower also functions as a broom closet, according to city information. Additionally, the station’s single interview room limits officers to interviewing one suspect at a time, and the station’s evidence room lacks an adequate ventilation system.
“This was never meant, or it was never constructed to be, a police department,” Jones said.
For police operations, multiple interview rooms, improved evidence rooms, and shared spaces like gymnasiums and training rooms will be provided, in addition to locker rooms and facilities for victim services, according to the city’s website.
The fire station
The current fire station lacks meeting rooms, training rooms and adequate gym space, according to the city of Bee Cave’s website. Additionally, in times of emergency, the station does not have enough space to accommodate extra fire units or emergency medical services, LTFR Fire Chief Robert Abbott said in a video shared by the city.
For LTFR, four bays for fire trucks, 12 bunk rooms, five offices, a kitchen and a decontamination room will be provided. The building will be paid for through a collaboration between the city and LTFR, who will contribute up to $18 million and $13 million, respectively.
Some context
Proposition G was approved by Bee Cave voters in November by 59% of voters.
The amendment requires all city land purchases, sales and leasing to be approved by Bee Cave voters, including projects such as the public safety building.
With residents now reviewing and approving developments, all city projects currently in the pipeline, including the public safety building, will face delays, Mayor Kara King said.
“We now have to go on a ballot timeline, and that absolutely causes delays, and delays cost money,” King said.
Each May and November, residents will need to review and approve developments proposed by the city, King said.
The following projects are expected to appear before voters at some point in the future as a result of Proposition G passing.
The impact
Bee Cave City Attorney Ryan Henry said the city is still determining which projects will need to be put to a vote, as the proposition’s language leaves some room for interpretation.
“The biggest aspect that triggers [Proposition G’s] application is it applies to any significant physical change or alteration to city property. But it doesn’t really define what that is,” Henry said. “And so we’re trying to evaluate exactly where the line is.”
The proposition was put forward in an attempt to increase voter control and transparency in the city’s land development process, according to advocacy group Bee Cave Vote to Amend’s website.
“I think that citizens ought to have a direct voice in any big decision,” said resident Carrell Killebrew, who authored the proposition. “Whenever the city is going to make a big decision on something that is going to directly affect the quality of life for Bee Cave residents, those residents have a right to say, ‘yeah, that’s a good idea,’ or ‘no, I don’t want that.’”
Looking ahead
If approved, construction is expected to begin in August or September, City Manager Julie Oakley said. If not, the city will work on a solution to improve conditions for local officers, Bee Cave Director of Communications Crystal Cotti said.
Jones stressed that regardless of the outcome in May, the police department would continue to function as needed.
“There’s going to be absolutely no fall off in efficient police services made available to the community,” Jones said. “We could house ourselves out of a tent, and we’re still going to be responding to the community’s needs.”
