FORT MYERS, Fla. — Monday night, the Fort Myers City Council voted 6 to 1 to approve a new police headquarters building that will cost $9.2 million.
Council members agreed to purchase and renovate the old News Press building and fire station on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
They say with a growing police force additional space is needed, and the current building that was built over 30 years ago is too small.
“They’re just all on top of each other, and they need to be able to spread out. They need places to make sure they’re vehicles can be parked, and everybody can be in one central location,” said Teresa Watkins Brown, Councilwoman.
Chief Derrick Diggs has said officers would have more space for a shooting range, training activities, and a place to host community outreach events.
Councilman Terolyn Watson was the only person to vote against the new headquarters due to the cost.
“The amount was a little too steep. I think they should go back in and renegotiate the price of it.” Says Terolyn Watson, Councilwoman.
We also got a clearer picture of where the money would be coming from.
“It will probably be coming out of the general fund,” said Teresa Watkins Brown, Councilwoman.
The City of Fort Myers will now move forward in purchasing these buildings.
Renovations for the new headquarters are expected to start early next year.
