PSL police headquarters could move west

By CHRIS YOUNG
PORT ST. LUCIE — Police officials are proposing a new headquarters on the southeast tip of St. Lucie West to replace their existing building, which they say is too small for the needs of the fast-growing city.

The proposed building, which would be on about 35 acres of city land just north of the Crosstown Parkway and west of Florida's Turnpike, would be about 90,000 square feet, more than double the size of the current headquarters, Chief John Skinner said.

Skinner brought up the idea at the last City Council retreat, but said last week he will present updated plans for the location, which would include an emergency operations center and 911 center, at the next retreat in two weeks.

Council members said they wanted to hear more details and the cost. The proposal would shift resources toward the new areas of the city and away from the eastern side.
It could be built in about two years, Skinner said.

Currently the city contracts with St. Lucie County for 911 calls, and the EOC Center is a room in the Community Center.

Council members said they generally supported the new headquarters, which was previously considered as a new location for the public works department, which has requested a $7.8 million new compound in its capital improvements budget.

"Logistically, I think it's a good spot for the police," Councilman Jack Kelly said. "With the annexations, the center of the city has moved west."

Councilwoman Michelle Berger said the new headquarters was ideally situated next to the Crosstown Parkway.

But Councilman Christopher Cooper said he needed to hear Skinner's justification for relocating.
"Why do the police need to move out of a three-story headquarters with a two-story building (substation with 40 to 50 officers) on Rosser and another two-story station in the CRA (community redevelopment area)?" he said. "If we move this one, it will be two out west, one out east, with none in the middle."

The CRA station is scheduled to be built in the City Center at Walton Road and U.S. 1 at a cost of $4.1 million with 20,000 square feet of space and parking for about 80 vehicles, according to a Police department request form.

Council members agreed the city should have its own 911 center.

In addition to the headquarters relocation, police requested $2.1 million in renovations for the existing headquarters next to City Hall for the next fiscal year, including $1.4 million in structure fixes on all three floors, $200,000 for an upgraded security system, and $550,000 for a backup generator for the entire building.

Police asked for $100,000 yearly for the next five years to contribute to the public safety training complex at Indian River Community College. The city, as well as the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office and Fort Pierce, would pay for the facility with matching state funds.

City Manager Don Cooper said he thought the joint IRCC facility was a good idea but was awaiting details, especially because the police also wanted a firing range at the new headquarters costing another $500,000.

"Those are big numbers," he said.
City police would get six dedicated firing lanes at IRCC's building, but currently only have limited access at a sheriff's office range for training.