The City of Josephine, Texas Public Safety Facilities, Community Center and Public works annex, Design-Build complete January 2026!
Texas-Based Speed Fab-Crete and Callahan and Freeman Complete City of Josephine Public Safety and Municipal Facilities Program
Josephine, Texas. Speed Fab-Crete Corp., in collaboration with Callahan and Freeman Architects, announced the completion of the City of Josephine Public Safety and Municipal Facilities Program, a comprehensive multi-facility initiative delivered using a Progressive Design-Build approach. The completed program represents a total investment of 10.3 million dollars and supports the City of Josephine’s continued growth and long-term municipal service needs.
The program included the construction of a new City of Josephine Department of Public Safety facility (which includes the Police Department and Central Fire Station), the complete renovation of the Josephine Community Center, and the renovation of a Public Works Annex. Construction began on June 29, 2024, and the facilities were completed on January 5, 2026.
Speed Fab-Crete served as Design-Builder for the program and provided project management services on behalf of the city, led by company executives Randy C. Landers and Janis Graham. Callahan and Freeman Architects served as the Architect of Record, leading architectural design across all three facilities. Engineering services were provided by Baird, Hampton, and Brown. The project was completed during Speed Fab-Crete’s 75th anniversary year, marking more than seven decades of experience delivering municipal, public safety, and institutional facilities.
The completed facilities are located at 120 West Cook Street on FM Highway 6 for the Department of Public Safety, 404 Main Street for the Community Center, and 220 Main Street for the Public Works Annex. All three facilities are single-floor buildings totaling 20,498 square feet.
Department of Public Safety Facility
The 16,298-square-foot Department of Public Safety facility was delivered as new construction, housing both the Police and Fire Departments in a secure, modern, and expandable environment. The building utilizes reinforced slab-on-grade foundations, precast concrete panels, conventional structural steel framing, masonry, and synthetic plaster exterior systems. Interior construction consists of light-gauge steel framing, drywall, and acoustic ceiling systems.
The facility incorporates an integrated suite of safety and security features, including bullet-resistant construction and glazing, electronic security systems, and site-based setback security measures. Shared spaces include reception and lobby areas, a physical fitness room, and a combined conference and training room.
The training room was certified as an ICC 500 storm-safe structure, designed to withstand an EF5 tornado with wind speeds up to 250 miles per hour. The space was constructed using Speed Fab-Crete’s precast concrete panel structural system, reflecting close coordination between the architectural and construction teams. The architectural design complements the existing City Hall and enhances the City’s municipal campus.
The Fire Department component supports the City’s transition from a volunteer organization to a professional department and includes fire apparatus bays, administrative spaces, and crew lodging areas.
Josephine Community Center
The 3,246-square-foot Josephine Community Center was completed as a full renovation of a historic church structure originally built circa 1927. Callahan and Freeman Architects led the adaptive reuse design, transforming the building into a modern community resource while preserving its character.
The renovated facility now includes meeting spaces, city offices, a warming kitchen, a performance stage, and flexible community gathering areas. The building was upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, includes a complete fire protection sprinkler system, and is equipped with a full capacity backup generator, allowing the facility to function as a warming center during extended power outages.
Public Works Annex
The 954 square foot Public Works Annex was completed as a renovation of a former residence repurposed for use by the City’s Public Works Department. Interior improvements modernized the structure for administrative use, while exterior renovations were designed to align with the architectural character of nearby City Hall.
Overcoming Site and Program Challenges
The Department of Public Safety site was adjacent to floodplain and floodway areas, requiring extensive grading and engineered fill to raise the finished floor elevation by more than 5 feet above the native grade. Early collaboration under the Progressive Design-Build process allowed the team to design an engineered pad solution that simplified foundation requirements and improved cost efficiency. A combination of owner-provided fill materials and coordinated design decisions further offset project costs.
The Design-Build approach enabled significant cost savings, a portion of which was reinvested into the project to add enhancements, including high-speed bi-fold fire apparatus doors and shade and hail protection canopies for police vehicles.
The completed program stands as a model of collaborative municipal delivery, resilient design, and long-term value for a rapidly growing Texas community.
Additional information is available at www.speedfabcrete.com, www.cfarchitects.com, and https://bhbinc.com.
