South Tyler Police Substation Design

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the designs brought forward by Fitzpatrick Architects for a new South Tyler Police Substation. Officials say the development of the substation will provide multiple benefits to the citizens of Tyler, including closer proximity to police services such as Records, Property, Investigations, and Community Response Officers. The personnel of the Tyler Police Department are its most important asset and resource, therefore it is important to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of every police officer during their assigned duty times, explained Police Chief Gary Swindle.

Officials say an analysis of the current officer travel time for Beats 4, 5, and 6 revealed that those officers are spending 5,161.54 hours annually traveling to and from their area of responsibility at a cost of $219,107. It has been determined that the officers’ time could be better managed with a south substation, according to a city news release. The City will not be adding any personnel, but instead will be housing officers closer to their beats for improved service to Tyler citizens, according to the release.

Paid for by the Half-Cent Sales Tax, the new facility will be approximately 17,500 square feet and is estimated to be complete by 2016. The total design and construction cost for the building is estimated at $3.1 million (including interior equipment). The new station will be located on city-owned property at Faulkner Park with access from West Cumberland Road and South Broadway Avenue.