Bradenton police HQ on track for late 2026 move-in
By Lisa Neff
Bradenton’s new police headquarters is about nine months away from move-in, with city officials targeting December 2026 for officers and staff to begin relocating into the long-anticipated facility.
Construction on the $33.9 million project is now about halfway complete, marking significant progress from a year ago, when the site, 705 third St. W., had just begun to take shape with early groundwork and garage foundations.
“The project remains on track with the previously reported estimated cost, with no anticipated changes to the overall contract amount at this time,” city public information officer Tiffany Shadik said in a March 25 email response to a press inquiry.
That consistency comes as the city advances one of its largest public safety investments in decades. When construction activity began in early 2025, about 1% of the contract had been completed, primarily tied to site work and initial structural elements.
Today, the project has reached a far more visible stage.
“Construction is approximately 50% complete,” Shadik said. “Major milestones over the past year include completion of both levels of the parking structure, significant progress on the south portion of the building and the start of dry-in activities.”
The new headquarters, designed by AECOM, will replace the police department’s current facility adjacent to city hall, which has been in use since 1998 and no longer meets operational needs. Officials have long pointed to space constraints, limited storage and outdated infrastructure as key drivers behind the project.
The new building is designed to address those limitations with modernized spaces for administration, patrol operations, investigations, records and evidence storage, along with upgraded training areas and technology systems. Plans also include a real-time crime center, expanded meeting and training rooms and a dedicated parking structure.
Shadik emphasized that the design and scope have remained stable as construction has progressed.
“There have been no significant changes to the project’s design or overall scope since construction began,” she said.
While the project has largely stayed on schedule and within budget, it has not been without a challenge.
“The primary delays to date have been related to the relocation of previously unidentified underground utilities on site,” Shadik said.
Even with those issues, the overall timeline remains intact. Construction is expected to wrap up in November, followed by a transition period as the department prepares to occupy the new space.
The department will move into the headquarters in December, but the relocation itself will extend into early 2027.
“The transition from the existing headquarters is anticipated to occur between December 2026 and January 2027,” Shadik said.
Once complete, the new headquarters is expected to significantly improve day-to-day operations for the department.
“The new facility will provide modern, purpose-built space to support current law enforcement needs, including updated technology, improved coordination between divisions, and enhanced facilities for training and operations,” Shadik said. “It will allow the department to operate more efficiently and better serve the community.”
City officials also view the headquarters as part of a broader strategy to reinvest in downtown infrastructure and public services. The current police building is slated for demolition as part of longer-term redevelopment plans in the city core.
“The Police Headquarters is part of the City’s long-term investment in modern public safety facilities and overall downtown infrastructure,” Shadik said. “The project complements broader efforts to strengthen City services and support continued redevelopment in the downtown area.”
As the structure rises and interior work advances, the project is moving from concept to reality — with a firm move-in window now in sight and a clear shift from planning to execution.
About the new HQ
The new Bradenton Police Department headquarters is a $33.9 million capital project designed to replace the city’s 1998 facility with a modern, centralized public safety hub.
The building is under construction at 705 Third St. W., near downtown, and is intended to strengthen law enforcement operations while supporting broader redevelopment in the city core.
Groundbreaking took place May 20, 2025, and construction is now roughly halfway complete.
Designed by AECOM and built by NDC, the facility will feature updated technology, expanded workspaces and specialized areas to support patrol, investigations, records and evidence storage. Plans also call for a real-time crime center, dedicated training rooms and enhanced coordination spaces for officers and staff.