3 hours ago - Politics

Urbandale considers new $60 million police department

Linh Ta

Rendering of a modern two-story Urbandale Police Department building with glass walls, a circular seal, an American flag on a flagpole, sun glare, people inside, and police cars in the parking lot. — A rendering of the potential new Urbandale police department. Rendering: Courtesy of City of Urbandale

Urbandale is considering opening a new $60 million police department at the corner of 100th Street and Douglas Avenue, a former blighted industrial site.

Why it matters: City officials say the police department has outgrown its current facility off 86th Street, which was constructed in 1982 when the city had 18,000 residents.

Now, the suburb's home to 50,000.

Driving the news: Today, the council is considering approving ballot language for a special election on Nov. 3 for a $25 million bond referendum.

60% of voters would need to approve it to pass. Property taxes would not increase under the proposed plan.

By the numbers: An additional $25 million for the project would be financed using revenue from the Northwest Market Center tax increment financing (TIF) district, pending council's approval of an amendment today.

$10 million would come from local option sales and service tax revenue.

What's next: If approved by voters, the 95,000 square-foot facility would open in 2028.

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Urbandale considers new $60 million police department

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