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I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and finding some time to relax and travel. At the city, we have several pieces of good news to share regarding first our Police Department and second our relationship with the Inter Miami professional soccer team.
In June, the city broke ground on the long-awaited new police headquarters. This new 192,263-square-foot facility will have sufficient space for a force that has been growing with our city and will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources to help in their crime-fighting efforts.
The construction schedule calls for it to be completed and open in 2025.
It was great to be part of the community-wide effort to bring this project to fruition. The top priority of any city is to protect its residents, and that requires a police force that is well-trained and well-equipped. We have long prided ourselves in a low-crime rate. And, a new police headquarters will help ensure Fort Lauderdale remains a safe place for people to live, work and visit.
Our current police station was built some 60 years ago. It has grown woefully out of date and is in poor physical condition.
Here’s how problematic the current building has become:
Its structural integrity has weakened over time and cannot withstand the strength of hurricanes today. It had to be evacuated during Hurricane Irma, putting our officers – and our community – at risk.
The Bureau of Investigations, a key part of the Police Department, is located two miles away because there is not enough space on site. Elevators and restrooms do not meet current code. Some restrooms even lack hot water.
There is no fire sprinkler system in the building. Water and sewer leaks in the basement raise the possibility of mold and mildew. The air conditioning is so decrepit that condensed water must be manually emptied daily because there is no drainage to accommodate it.
Fortunately, voters recognized the need and approved a $100 million dollar bond in 2019. A dedicated group of neighbors and business leaders working tirelessly in a collective effort to gain the support of voters.
The new headquarters will consist of a three-story building and parking garage to better serve the needs of the community. The new facility will be built with energy and operationally efficient features such as hurricane-resistant materials.
Most importantly, the new headquarters meets modern public safety needs with updated technology and access to training. It will allow the Police Department to house an evidence warehouse and firearm training facility on site – increasing access to training opportunities and eliminating the need to pay for space elsewhere. It will also include state-of-the-art technology to monitor large-scale events and keep an eye on the city overall.
There was also be a community center for surrounding neighborhood associations and other groups to use.
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