A New HQ

A CONSTRUCTION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING BEGINS

Police Chief Ed Hudak and Fire Chief Marcos De La Rosa at the groundbreaking

City officials were all smiles as they broke ground for the new Police and Fire Department complex on Salzedo Street between Alcazar and Minorca. The new $52 million Public Safety building will be the nexus for first responders, housing its Emergency Operations Center, Fire Station 1, 911 Call Center and admin offices for police and fire. City Manager Peter Iglesias described it as “a groundbreaking project that will change the landscape of Coral Gables.” The five story state-of-the-art building is designed to withstand a “100-year hurricane,” according to Iglesias, and will be equipped with two generators. At the Groundbreaking Ceremony last month, Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli called it the “biggest public works project since George Merrick founded the city,” a building that “reflects the greatness of Coral Gables.” “It represents the commitment of this city to the safety and security of its residents and visitors,” said Fire Chief Marcos De La Rosa. The building is projected to be completed in fall 2020.