Safety Committee- September 30, 2026

Cleveland City Council Safety Committee meeting, September 30, 2026, focused on a fire and EMS facilities modernization assessment and related legislation. The study assessed 24 existing stations (the new Station 26 was excluded) and recommends repairs at all assessed facilities, renewal of 12, and eventual replacement of 10. Preliminary estimates were about $30 million for repairs, $65 million for renewals, and $150 million for replacements—roughly $241.4 million overall, often rounded to about $245 million, in 2026 dollars. The administration said it expects to bring forward a roughly $100 million, 24-month design-build proposal for repairs and renewals, potentially financed through energy-efficiency and procurement savings; replacement funding and sequencing remain undetermined and would require future capital planning. No approval of that modernization financing or construction proposal occurred at this meeting. Members requested station-by-station scopes, priorities, condition and response data, cost details, and plans for preventive maintenance and community notification. The committee also received an update that Leopardo’s $21 million project to improve all five police districts is expected to finish in October 2026; furniture needs are anticipated for a future capital plan.

The committee approved Ordinance 1035-2026, authorizing an $81,277.39 payment from the police operating budget to Cuyahoga County for the city’s 2025–26 share of automated fingerprint identification system support and maintenance; members requested information on whether operating a city system could be less costly. Ordinance 927-2026, concerning property exchanges with the school district, was also approved, with a member stating a no vote. The exchange includes the former Walton school site for a future Fire Station 24 and the Newton D. Baker site for redevelopment; demolition estimates were approximately $1.3 million for Walton and $1.3–$1.5 million for Newton D. Baker, with funding options still under review, including competitive state demolition grants requiring a city match. The committee also discussed the future of the Jay Glenn Smith Health Center site and requested further cost and community-impact information.