Construction to begin for new Fort Myers Police Department headquarters

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Fort Myers police say they are about halfway through planning for the department’s new headquarters, a major project city leaders reviewed on Monday as updated renderings were presented to city council.

The new Fort Myers Police Department headquarters will be located at the intersection of Fowler and Market Street and is designed to meet the department’s long-term needs well into the future.

“This department is being built not just for today’s needs, but for the needs of 2045 and beyond,” said FMPD Capt. Roger Valdiva.

Valdiva briefed council members on the progress made so far, emphasizing transparency throughout the planning process, particularly when it comes to cost.

“We want to make sure we remain completely transparent with them, keeping them up to date on any changes,” Valdiva said. “Obviously, costs are a big deal.”

The current estimated total cost of the project is $142 million. The proposed headquarters would include a real-time crime center, a firing range, training rooms and other modern facilities designed to support police operations.

Some residents expressed support for the project.

“I think it would be great for them and for us,” said Fort Myers resident Miguel Torres.

City officials say the goal is to reduce the overall price before final approval. The city council is expected to vote on the final project cost in June.

Fort Myers City Engineer Nicole Setzer said the city is still refining plans, which could help lower costs.

“As we further refine the plans, we should be able to take some of the things that we now have allowances for — that we’re not sure of the cost — and pin that down to an actual cost item,” Setzer said.

Valdiva added that officials are hopeful construction costs could decrease as the project moves forward.

“Our construction company that’s actually going to be putting the building together — those figures should hopefully start going down because of construction,” he said.

Construction on the new police headquarters is expected to begin in July. The project is scheduled for completion in February 2028.

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