In a significant move aimed at bolstering public safety efforts, the Belton City Council approved the purchase of the former Miller Heights Elementary School from Belton ISD for $750,000. This acquisition marks one of the city’s most exciting projects in the past fifty years and aims to repurpose the facility into a multifaceted space that serves as a hub for various public safety operations.

Councilmember Wayne Carpenter expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This is one of the most exciting projects that the city has undertaken in half a century. It’s just a win-win.”

The 8.36-acre property, located in Southeast Belton near Belle Oaks Apartments, features a 40,000-square-foot facility that will immediately address space constraints for public safety operations. The site is set to serve as a police substation, which will improve response times in one of the city’s most frequently dispatched areas. Additionally, the facility will provide space for:

• Police victim services and community programs
• Code compliance offices
• Evidence and equipment storage
• Fire Department administrative personnel
• Fire Marshal operations

Councilmember Stephanie O’Banion highlighted the strategic planning behind the project, saying, “This is a great example of tremendous planning that was in place to meet opportunity.”

The facility’s future plans are equally ambitious and include:

• Emergency shelter and warming center: The building’s cafeteria and commercial-grade kitchen make it an ideal location for providing shelter during severe weather or power outages.
• Police and fire training center: Its central location near two major highways offers the potential to host regional training, reducing travel costs and enhancing first responder preparedness.
• Additional office and storage space: The existing school layout allows for secure, public-friendly office space to support the city’s growing needs.
• Neighborhood park development: The site, combined with two adjacent city-owned parcels, could be transformed into a significant green space, enhancing the quality of life and attracting future investment in Southeast Belton.

Funding for the purchase will be included in an upcoming Certificate of Obligation bond issuance, while rehabilitation costs will be phased and funded from the city’s General Fund. This project promises to bring substantial benefits to the community, making Belton a safer and more vibrant place to live.