Mayor J.R. Garza and city officials received a $2.45 million federal funding award on Tuesday for City of Alamo new Public Safety Building, a project aimed at improving facilities for first responders in a growing community.

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz presented the funds. City leaders broke ground on the Chief Arturo Espinosa Public Safety Building in February at 414 Professional Drive — the first new public safety building in Alamo since 1950.

The facility will cover roughly 19,849 square feet plus about 534 square feet for K-9 kennels. It is designed to house the police department, special investigations units, municipal court, holding cells, locker rooms, evidence storage, and related operations under one roof.

In a statement, the city said: “We extend our appreciation to Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz for her support in securing this federal funding and helping advance a project that will strengthen Alamo’s public safety operations. This investment marks another step toward providing our first responders with improved facilities and building a safer, stronger community for the future.”

The estimated construction cost for Alamo’s new Public Safety Building (Chief Arturo Espinosa Public Safety Building) is $8 million, according to the official Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) project filing.