City Leaders Break Ground on State-of-the-Art Property Room August 16, 2007 - Houston Mayor Bill White, Police Chief Harold L. Hurtt and other high ranking City of Houston officials and dignitaries today (August 16) announced the beginning of construction on a state-of-the-art Houston Police Department Property Room on a vacant lot adjacent to 1103 Goliad. The new property room replaces the current 60,000 square foot, dilapidated structure that has housed evidence and property from HPD cases since the late 1970s. The new, state-of-the-art facility moves HPD into the 21st century and will boast an air-conditioned storage area of 43,793 square feet and a fenced exterior storage area of 15,277 feet. High-density shelving and high ceilings will help maximize storage capabilities. Security upgrades include room alarms in high security areas, a high-tech evidence tracking system, ballistic-glass protection in the intake area, and digital flat screen monitors in both intake and administration areas to monitor security cameras. All cameras and monitoring equipment will be upgraded to digital, with a recording capacity of up to eight months. “A property room is a special type of facility,” said Mayor White. “There needs to be security. I applaud HPD and the members of City Council who supported our request for investments for the future.” Chief Hurtt concurred, “We are proud of the fact the Mayor and City Council supported us,” he said. “In addition to accreditation for our crime lab, now we will have a facility where we can properly intake property and make sure it’s secure. We deserve, as members of the criminal justice system, to have confidence in our processes,” said Chief Hurtt. The total cost of the project is estimated at $17 million dollars. The construction phase is slated to begin September 1, 2007 and will last for approximately 17 to 18 months. Target completion date for construction is January of 2009. VHS/JFC/BW 8-16-07 For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |