Inside Tampa's push to sell its police headquarters
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The city of Tampa wants to sell its downtown police headquarters, but some of its elected leaders have doubts about signing off.
Why it matters: The asking price for the 10-story building is at least $36 million, but replacing it would cost taxpayers far more.
Driving the news: City Council members said they were blindsided by the city's announcement last week, and some came out against the idea.
- "This isn't just selling something and getting money," Council Member Lynn Hurtak said, per WTSP. "It's what do we do with that money? It's how do we pay for something new?"
- Hurtak said that a forensic facility alone would cost over $40 million, and Council Member Luis Viera questioned what would happen to Tampa's police museum and memorial, which are both inside the building.
Between the lines: The aging building has long been a point of concern.
- In 2015, then-Mayor Bob Buckhorn said it had "outlived its usefulness," while leaving the project to his successor, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
- Under Mayor Jane Castor, an effort to relocate the police headquarters faced community pushback and ultimately failed.
- Castor has called the latest push a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" that, if successful, would be the first step toward finding the Tampa Police Department a new home.
Friction point: Chairman Alan Clendenin told WTSP that the council is in no way "compelled to sell. Anything has to come through council, and we will have complete oversight of this process."
- If the proposed sale is approved, it wouldn't take place for at least a year. The new owners would be required to lease the building to the city for a year after that as TPD relocates, per the Times.
What's next: Council members will discuss the possible sale with city staff at their Jan. 22 meeting.