You might have noticed all those construction crews kicking up dust around the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
In case you haven’t heard, they’re busy working on a new $140 million headquarters that’s going up next door.
For now, Fort Lauderdale’s police department is moving key functions to other locations to make it easier on employees who’ve been putting up with all the noisy hustle and bustle.
Until further notice, a temporary Police Department will operate out of a one-story building to the west located at 1350 W. Broward Blvd.
The lobby will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anyone who needs assistance after hours can use the phone outside the front doors at the old headquarters at 1300 W. Broward Blvd.
The Records Unit counter will have in-person staff available to the public on Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the temporary headquarters. For those who’d rather access records online, go to www.flpd.org/about-flpd/records. To reach records staff, call 954-828-5465.
Beginning this week, the Evidence Unit will be open to the public on Wednesdays by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To reach the Evidence Unit, call 954-828-5450.
The current headquarters has been home to Fort Lauderdale’s Police Department since 1958. Four years ago, voters approved a plan to replace the aging structure.
Construction crews broke ground in early July.
Soon after, those who work in the headquarters building started complaining about the building vibrating and shaking, making it difficult for them to concentrate.
Police and civilian staffers most impacted by the noise were quickly moved to the city’s police substations and other available office space.
For the long term, the department needs a quiet place to work until the new headquarters opens two years from now, city officials say.
City Manager Greg Chavarria and his staff are currently negotiating lease terms with the owner of the Kaplan University Learning Center at 1515 W. Cypress Creek Road in northern Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale taxpayers will pick up the tab for what will likely turn into a two-year stay.
Chavarria says the city has money in contingency reserves to cover the cost of rent for two years or more. When asked how much it will cost taxpayers, he said it was too early to say.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan