The details
The 189,523-square-foot training complex, located at the corner of West Fairground Road and Stella Road, will be on 30.25 acres of Fort Bend County property, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Officials said the complex will be complete in 18 months and will host training sessions for:
- Municipal agencies
- County agencies
- State agencies
- Federal law enforcement agencies
- Eight classrooms
- An auditorium
- Administrative offices
- Conference rooms
- Space for the sheriff’s office's emergency communications center
- EMS administrative offices
There will also be a half-mile driving track at the complex, according to the release.
The cost
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved a county property lease for the facility on Sept. 26, according to the release.
The Fort Bend County Texas Public Facility Corporation, which oversees the development and financing of public infrastructure projects in Fort Bend County, received $150 million to lend to the Community Finance Corporation-Epicenter for building the training complex, according to the release.
Just like training facility, the Fort Bend Epicenter is owned by the Community Finance Corporation and leased to the county, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Fort Bend County will lease the land and building at an annual cost of $7.5 million over a 30-year period, after which the county will assume ownership of the building, according to the release.
What they’re saying
Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan said he is enthusiastic about the project and the opportunity for law enforcement personnel to receive modern and high-quality training.
“We are pleased to have the support of Commissioners Court in creating a modern training complex to keep our employees highly trained, skilled and competent,” Fagan said in the release. “A well-trained department provides quality public safety services to our community.”