Once completed, the 43-acre campus—located at 18334 Stuebner Airline Road, Spring—will house the district’s main administration building as well as ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare’s 911 call center, ambulance deployment center, fleet maintenance facility and car wash.
The district launched ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare in September to take over providing emergency medical services for approximately 177 square miles in north Harris County, including Cypress, Tomball, Spring and Humble.
According to Hooten, the roughly $20 million first phase of construction—which will include the EMS provider’s new 911 call center, billing center, and fleet maintenance and deployment facilities—was scheduled to be completed by August of last year, but difficulties obtaining supplies and materials resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have caused delays.
“Supply chain issues continue to impact us, but our logistics people are doing a great job of keeping up with that," Hooten said. "Our vendors are working with us very closely to make sure we have the supplies we need."
After the first phase is completed, Hooten said the district will move onto the second phase of the project, which will entail completing the administrative side of the new campus. Phase two is projected to be completed in August. Jerry Thomas, who serves as ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare's community engagement manager, said the district will have a better idea of how much the second phase will cost following the district's Jan. 20 board of commissioners meeting.
According to Hooten, the first phase of construction was originally projected to cost around $18 million. Despite roughly $2 million in additional costs, Hooten said other measures, such as switching from diesel to hybrid ambulances, have helped to absorb some of those inflated prices.
Hooten noted the ambulances run on a hybrid system of battery power and gasoline, which he said is better for the environment, improves the air conditioning system and extends the life of the vehicle. Additionally, Hooten said the cost of gasoline is roughly $0.60 cheaper per gallon than diesel fuel.
“I think, all in all, that one decision alone is probably saving us $15,000-$20,000 a month, which then allows us to absorb some of these other costs that are continuing to rise,” Hooten said.
ESD 11 officials noted capital and financing plans associated with the new campus call for no increase on the district's property tax rate.
