Construction file photo

The City of Fresno has awarded a $12.9 million construction contract for a new 9-1-1 Emergency Call Center.

Soltek Pacific Construction Company, based in San Diego, was awarded the $12.9 million contract after a competitive bidding process.

Construction is expected to begin as early as this summer.

Located at the city’s municipal service center in Downtown Fresno, the new 12,072 square feet essential services facility will feature 4,270 square feet of space to accommodate up to 52 dispatching operators and 12 radio operator working stations at any one time.

It will also include four offices, three quiet rooms and 1,200 square feet of flexible space that can be used for conferences and training.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature advanced telecommunications infrastructure and will be capable of operating off the electrical grid, which will ensure 24/7 operations.

“Every time someone calls 9-1-1, there’s a dispatcher on the other end making quick, critical decisions to get them help,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “This new Emergency Call Center is a critical investment in our ability to respond quickly and effectively in times of crisis. It will give our dispatchers the space, technology, and support they need to do their jobs under pressure—especially when every second counts.”

Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, and the center is projected to be fully operational by early 2027.

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto said that the police department answers close to 1 million emergency calls a year, and it requires a system that’s built for both speed and reliability.

“As our city’s population continues to grow, this new 9-1-1 call center contract enhances our ability to quickly assess situations and dispatch the right resources—supporting our officers in the field and improving outcomes for the people we serve,” Casto said.