INDIAN SHORES — Town officials broke ground Jan. 5 on the William J. Krajewski Public Safety Building, a two-story facility that will house police and emergency equipment.
The $256,000 structure behind the municipal center will replace off-site rental storage and provide secure space for equipment previously vulnerable to salt air damage.
The J.J. Ganno Trust donated $125,000 toward construction through Johanna Liadis, widow of the building’s namesake, William J. Krajewski. The town is covering the remaining $131,000 from reserves.
Krajewski, a Redington Shores resident, wanted to honor former Chief Richard H. Swann, who led the department serving both communities.
“Chief Swann brought honesty and integrity to the job,” Liadis said during the ceremony.
Town Administrator Tina Porter said she was excited about partnering with the trust on the project.
General contractor Lucas Lawson of ACE Construction in St. Petersburg estimates completion in 72 days, barring complications.
The ceremony included the full Town Council, Liadis, Porter, Swann, current Police Chief Lee Ann Holroyd, and Mayor Diantha Schear, who called the project a milestone.
“This building is going to be an important addition to the Indian Shores Municipal Center, to the police department and to the community and town as a whole,” Schear said.