The county has bought land adjacent to the Pima Animal Care Center as it prepares for construction of a new voter-approved facility.
Voters in November 2014 approved a $22 million bond package to build a new regional animal care center.
Because the current facility at 4000 N. Silverbell Road must remain in service during construction, the county has sought additional land for the planned new facility.
The county has finalized the purchase of a parcel south of existing facility from Tucson Electric Power for $110,000, Michael Kirk, Pima Countyβs facilities management said at a news conference Monday.
He said county officials have their eyes on another property, to the east of existing facility that the city of Tucson owns. No agreement has been reached on that property.
Pima Animal Care Center was built in 1968 as a facility to house stray and rabid animals. It had a capacity of about 500 animals.
The average daily population at the facility today is more than 800 animals. To meet the demand the county has erected a temporary tent structure on the grounds.
The center receives more than 25,000 animals each year. About 85 percent of those find new homes through PACC and other animal rescue organizations that work with the county.
The design program for the new facility has been completed and awaits additional input from county officials. It was done with the input from community groups and other interested parties.
Archaeological site work and final building concepts and designs will be the next steps.
Construction is expected to start in November 2016 and continue for about a year.
The existing PACC building would be demolished when the new facility is completed.
