Daviess County’s long-planned public safety facility is nearing the final design phase, with construction documents now 75% complete, officials say.
The multi-use facility will house backup 911 dispatch, a new emergency operations center (EOC), offices for Emergency Management (EMA), a third paid County fire station, and patrol division space for the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. It’s also being designed as a tornado-resistant storm shelter built to FEMA P-361 and ICC 500 standards — a critical component for a region familiar with severe weather.
“This isn’t just a building. It’s a vital hub for communications and safety,” said County Treasurer Jordan Johnson. “Everything from radio connectivity to structural integrity has to be spot-on.”
The County is working with Trott Communications to ensure the building integrates with the County’s P25 digital radio system. A 190-foot radio tower is included in the design.
The proposed location is adjacent to Western Kentucky University Owensboro at the intersection of Foors Lane and US 231.
Public Safety Director Jeremy Smith said the project’s complexity stems from balancing high-tech communications needs with the realities of emergency response logistics.
“We’re over 75% complete on the drawings and have been intentional about only including what’s truly necessary to enhance response and protect our citizens,” Smith said. “This facility will be the forefront of first response in Daviess County.”
Smith said the building will also serve as a third paid fire station, citing the much-needed addition for a department that currently relies on just two paid stations and 10 volunteer stations. Smith emphasized the continued importance of volunteer firefighters but noted that a centrally located, full-time crew will provide crucial backup.
“Our volunteers are phenomenal, but they have day jobs,” Smith said. “This gives us a safety valve when volunteer staffing is low, especially with increased traffic challenges around 54 and the east end.”
The sheriff’s patrol division will also relocate from the courthouse to the new facility — a move Sheriff Brad Youngman said will significantly improve response times.
“Right now, deputies often have to come downtown to handle paperwork or meet with residents, which can slow their ability to respond across the county,” Youngman said. “This location will allow our patrol division to work from a more central point, which is better for operations and the public.”
The new space will include holding cells, a secure and recorded interview room, and — for the first time in years — a proper evidence storage facility. Youngman said the lack of adequate evidence infrastructure, which predates his tenure, previously led to the suspension of the office’s accreditation. He self-reported the issue after taking office and said the new facility would help correct a longstanding problem.
“We’ve worked hard to professionalize and modernize our agency,” he said. “This facility is a big step forward in continuing that effort.”
The facility will also house the County’s backup dispatch center, which is currently located in the basement of the courthouse. In the event of a failure at the primary dispatch site, the new center would be equipped to assume operations immediately.
Smith said all emergency management operations will be housed in the new building, along with the centralized EOC — a critical need for large-scale events or disasters.
“We’re creating a space that can function in any scenario — whether that’s severe weather, a communications outage, or a major public safety incident,” Smith said.
County officials and design partners continue to meet regularly to fine-tune the plans, with input from all agencies involved. Smith said final construction documents could be ready by April or May, with the bid process to follow soon after.
“This is a long-term investment in safety, coordination, and public service,” Johnson said. “We want to get it right.”
