On a sweltering summer day in Fort Lauderdale, the city celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Police Department headquarters, a landmark event that reflected the city’s commitment to public safety and community policing. Despite the blistering heat, the turnout was impressive, demonstrating the community’s steadfast support for this pivotal project.
Covering an expansive 196,263 square-feet, the new headquarters promises to be a significant upgrade from the old police station, which, after 60 years of service, was struggling to accommodate the needs of the city’s ever-expanding police force. Moss Construction, whose headquarters resides in the city, will serve as the general contractor for the project. Bob Moss, founder of Moss Construction, shared warm words about his relationship with the city, instilling even more confidence in the project’s success.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all who attended today. Your support is appreciated, and we’re eager to move forward with the construction,” said a representative of the project. The project is scheduled to start in Summer 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis highlighted the crucial role the new building will play, saying, “The current police station has grown out of date given the needs of modern law enforcement and is too small to accommodate the size of the city’s current police force. Voters understood the need when they made their decision on the bond issue.”
The new headquarters will include a three-story building, parking garage, an indoor training center, art spaces, and a state-of-the-art tech suite, equipped with energy and operationally efficient features. Its design incorporates hurricane-resistant materials and architectural elements inspired by the Sailboat Bend Historic District.
Commissioner Steven Glassman commented, “We diligently worked with our neighbors for years, and with the Historic Preservation Board, to make this vision come to life. We are so proud of the new headquarters that will create a stunning gateway into Fort Lauderdale.”
Beyond the innovative technological advancements, the building will also host a 5,270 square-foot community center, fostering a more welcoming environment for public engagement with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
City Manager Greg Chavarria noted, “We are thrilled to see the new Police Headquarters’ development project get underway. The new state-of-the-art facility serves as a testament of the City Commission’s commitment to Public Safety and Community Policing.”
In 2019, Fort Lauderdale residents voted to approve a $100 million bond issue to finance the construction of the new headquarters. Police Chief Patrick Lynn expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are thrilled to break ground on the new building and are excited about the opportunities this project will afford us in building bridges to our community.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by numerous city officials, including Mayor Dean Trantalis, Police Chief Patrick Lynn, City Manager Greg Chavarria, Assistant City Manager Anthony Fajardo, and other prominent members of the community. The event marks a historical moment for Fort Lauderdale as the city strives to modernize its law enforcement capabilities, reflecting a steadfast commitment to ensuring public safety and bolstering community policing.
