Fort Lauderdale, FL – A new police headquarters has opened in Fort Lauderdale, bringing law enforcement operations, investigative units and training facilities into one modern complex.
City officials opened the Fort Lauderdale Police Department headquarters Wednesday at 1300 West Broward Boulevard following years of construction delays.
The three-story building contains approximately 191,000 square feet and is supported by a 200,000-square-foot parking garage.
It will serve about 500 sworn officers and 300 civilian employees.
The $165 million facility includes a real-time crime center, forensic laboratory, evidence areas, administrative offices and a community meeting room.
A specialized Faraday room blocks electromagnetic signals while investigators examine cellphones and other electronic devices.
The headquarters also contains a firearms training range with weapon storage and cleaning areas.
Its entrance can accommodate a full-size sport utility vehicle for certain training exercises.
The building replaces a police headquarters constructed in 1958.
Employees had reported problems involving broken air conditioning, malfunctioning elevators, roof leaks and outdated equipment.
Voters approved a $100 million bond for the project in 2019.
Rising construction expenses increased the projected cost to about $140 million before work began in 2023.
Construction was later delayed after a crack appeared in a roof slab near the northwest corner.
An engineering review identified eight safety concerns requiring attention.
Design firm AECOM agreed to cover the required corrective work.
A memorial inside the lobby honors Fort Lauderdale officers who died in the line of duty.
The public lobby and records unit will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.