TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The search for a new home for the Tallahassee Police Department has entered the next phase.
Last week, the city collected suggestions from the public. But what's next? And how will it be different from the last time?
TPD has been at its current location since 1971. It was actually built more than 90 years ago as a school, but where will the police department relocate? That's a question the city has been trying to answer for quite some time.
In February, the city held town halls about a plan to move TPD to a site on the south side. After some pushback, the commission abandoned the idea.
In March, the city asked the public to recommend possible places. That process ended last week with a list of 68 sites.
"We wanted that kind of community engagement, and we're looking to continue that," said Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson.
The commission will look at the full list at Wednesday's meeting before trying to narrow it down.
The goal is five to 10 sites. Anyone who owns property or lives within 1,500 feet of each site will get a written notice about when the commission will review those properties.
"From there, we'll go back out into the community, probably in the form of public workshops or public hearings and let them see what we've been recommended," said Richardson.
After public input, the commission will come up with a shortlist of three sites. There will be more community meetings, a concept for each site, and an in-depth technical analysis.
Once the city picks a property, Richardson said the goal is to have it ready within the next couple years. He said he knows that's ambitious, but necessary to get TPD what it needs.
The commission will meet for the first time since the city won the auction for the Northwood Centre, which was the most suggested location for the public safety complex. The city has not made any decisions about what will go there.
