Fort Myers staff and architects present 50% design and $143 million estimate for new police headquarters

City staff and the project design team on Tuesday presented a 50% design milestone for Fort Myers’ new police headquarters and a consolidated cost estimate of about $142,982,477. The presentation outlined building configuration, specialty spaces and a schedule that targets bid documents by March 5, 2026, approval of a guaranteed maximum price by June 23, 2026, and construction start in July 2026, with substantial completion projected Jan. 10, 2028 and final completion Feb. 28, 2028.

For the record, Captain Roger Valdivia of the police department said he was speaking on behalf of Chief Fields while the chief was ill. Jeff Mudgett of Parker Mudgett Smith, the project architect, described the site and program, saying the plan is a U‑shaped building around a secure central parking area with public entry, community meeting and training rooms and…