Title
Funding for Purchase of New Gainesville Police Department Annex and Construction and Renovation to Existing Facilities (NB)
Explanation
At the City Commission retreat in 2004 and as part of their goal-setting session, a new police facility was identified as a priority. A spatial needs assessment was conducted and it was determined the need was for approximately 140,000 square feet of building space to be located on approximately 4.74 to 7.15 acres. The total cost for the project, not including the land acquisition, was approximately $23,000,000.
During fiscal year 2004, the Gainesville Police Department renovated an existing structure to the rear of the main building that was ultimately turned into the Property and Evidence Building. This freed up approximately 4,000 square feet of much needed office space. Several other renovations to the main building were accomplished as a result of these moves; however, functionally the main building remains obsolete and office and parking space is at a premium.
The Gainesville Police Department is looking to acquire and renovate a structure and property with approximately 14,000 square feet of space and as many as 50 additional parking spaces. If the proposal is approved, GPD would also utilize available funds to renovate the new facility structure, renovate the existing building, and refurbish the Special Investigations Division (Narcotics Unit) structure, which has had no significant remodeling in at least twenty years, and consequently is in need of extensive repairs.
The purchase of the building would allow the Gainesville Police Department to expand and capture much needed office space at a fraction of the cost of constructing a new police facility. Based on the totality of options available, this alternative can accomplish the goal of the City Commissioners to provide additional space for the police department, without an enormous debt service, and eliminate the need to build a new police facility for at least the next ten years.
If approved by the City Commission, we are proposing to add this project to the First Florida Governmental Financing Commission Revenue Bond, Series 2005 issue that the Commission authorized at the meeting of January 24th. These bonds are scheduled to be priced and sold on February 17th, with the bond closing and distribution of proceeds to the borrowers targeted for March 10th. The addition of this project is well within the not to exceed loan amount of $6 million previously authorized in the Series 2005 resolution.
Fiscal Note
Existing Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust funds will be utilized to contribute to the cost of renovating the structure. Funds for this contribution are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and is allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C. ยง 881, found in the U.S. Department of Justice "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies."
The City's FFGFC Series 2001 Bonds will be paid off as of July 1, 2006. The recurring revenues previously appropriated for the debt service on these bonds will be available to meet the balance of the debt service requirements on the police facility from fiscal year 2007 forward.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation and funding for the purchase, construction and renovation expenses related to the Gainesville Police Department's current and new facility.