Cedar Park's new safety building boosts fire, police training
CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — The Cedar Park Police and Fire Department will soon have a new, multi-million dollar safety building for training.
"What we're using right now is a house as a classroom," Fire Chief James Mallinger said. "The living room is our classroom."
Mallinger is excited about what's coming next to the current fire training tower in Cedar Park.
"The city and fire department are concentrating on growth and to be able to cover emergency calls," he said. "Now we're able to better concentrate on our staff."
The new, $30 million facility has three parts: a 17,000-square-foot training area with classrooms, an emergency operations center and an apparatus bay to house vehicles for the fire department and emergency management.
The project was funded by a 2022 voter-approved bond by Cedar Park residents.
It's not just the fire department that will be taking advantage. Police also plan to hold training and teaching there.
"This facility will foster a collaborative environment where first responders from multiple agencies can train together," Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin said. "It will enhance their preparedness and coordinate their response capabilities to protect our community and the surrounding area of Cedar Park."
As the city continues to grow so does the chance of this new center to grow along with it.
"There is a possible phase three of the project down the road that would allow for some expansion, but we're just excited to be moving forward on this great new facility," Mallinger said.
The bond that made this facility possible also included $86 million for transportation projects and $42 million for Parks & Rec projects. You can see a full breakdown of the bond here.
Construction is expected to begin later this fall. The facility should be up and running in spring 2026.