The existing E911 facility was housed in the county courthouse, but it was overcrowded and cramped with little storage space, no training space, and no ability to grow. The courthouse had been modified several times over the ensuing years, and because public safety facilities are in use 24 hours a day, the existing structure was effectively three times its current age.

A spatial needs assessment was conducted to determine the E911's functional requirements and initial square footage for a new facility. The assessment also defined space needs for future expansions as technology continued to evolve and the needs of the county changed. Any property identified as a possible site must have met the following criteria:

• A minimum of 1.5 to 3 acres for the site
• Perimeter and site security designed to protect staff, the public, and the facility in the event of a natural disaster, storm, or act of terrorism
• Parking for +/- 20 spaces or more to accommodate department personnel and others in the event of an activation
• Ample space for vehicular traffic movement around the facility
• Provisions for secured parking for departmental staff and for additional rolling stock if necessary
• Ample parking for the media during increased activity
  
  The site must also have provided for storm water management systems and green space, a perimeter area for either buffers required by zoning or appropriate landscaping for the surrounding property, and anticipated growth. It must have been large enough to accommodate expansions, have had a master plan for the capability to add to the facility, if possible, and have had adequate arterial access and egress for vehicles.
  
  CPS was tasked with creating the space needs study which accomodated all the requirements while working within the city's parameters.