The City of Urbandale wants to build a new police headquarters. It hopes to give voters a chance to approve a bond to pay for it during November’s general election.
But first, the Urbandale City Council will consider on Monday, Aug. 3, whether to approve the ballot language for a $25 million bond referendum. Officials have said the existing station at 3740 86th St. does not have the capacity for current operations or the expected growth of the police force.
While the projected expense for a new police station has increased since last year, voters would decide in November whether to approve bonds that would cover less than half the estimated cost.
Here is a breakdown of how the city would pay for the $60 million station, planned for the southwest corner of 100th Street and Douglas Avenue, without increasing its property tax levy, according to City Council documents:
In July 2025, the Urbandale City Council approved an agreement with a consultant, Sidekick Development LLC, to act as an owner’s agent for the project — someone who can help a city manage designs, request proposals for architects and contractors, and coordinate during construction to stay on schedule and budget.
At the time, the proposal was for a $50 million, more than 70,000-square-feet new police station.
What would a new Urbandale police station have?
The existing police station was built in 1982 for 26 officers serving 18,000 residents, but the department now has 62 officers serving almost 50,000 residents.
“The building is now inadequate to meet the operational demands of a growing city and an expanded police department staff and operations,” according to council documents.
A previous space needs study indicated it would not be feasible to continue adding on to the building.
The latest plan calls for about 95,000 square feet that would accommodate more space for training — including with firearms on a range — evidence storage, offices, locker rooms and secure parking.
What used to be at the proposed Urbandale police station site?
The 4-acre proposed site at the southwest corner of 100th Street and Douglas Avenue was previously home to Dynamite Marketing, Inc., according to county property records. The city considered the property blighted because of the poor condition of the land, and the council approved buying it for $2.5 million in May 2024.
The Business Record reported in May 2020 that Dynamite Marketing had demolished and hauled away the materials from a metal-sided office building, warehouse, sheds, storage silos and underground concrete slabs. The Idaho-based food, vitamin and supplement company made some of its products in Urbandale but moved operations to Idaho and put the property up for sale after production became unprofitable.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com. Find out more about him online in the Register’s staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Urbandale wants a new police station. What will it cost to build?
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
