GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Gainesville city leaders and community members gathered recently to break ground on a new 24,112‑square‑foot Gainesville Police Department Evidence and Property Facility, a long‑awaited project designed to solve one of the department’s most persistent operational challenges. The existing evidence building, which currently stores more than 95,000 items, has been stretched far beyond capacity, creating daily obstacles for staff responsible for maintaining the chain of custody that underpins every criminal investigation.
The new three‑story facility, located on the Gainesville Police Department campus at 545 NW 8th Avenue, represents a major investment in the city’s public safety infrastructure. Designed by DLR Group in collaboration with Monarch Design Group, the building will be constructed by Ajax Building Company and supported by engineering partner Campbell Spellicy Engineering. The project is funded through the city’s Streets, Stations & Strong Foundations infrastructure surtax, which city officials say ensures long‑term, community‑focused capital improvements.
City leaders, including Mayor Harvey Ward and Police Chief Nelson Moya, emphasized that the project is not simply about adding space. It is about modernizing a system essential to justice and accountability. The new building will incorporate advanced security systems, optimized storage strategies, and improved ventilation, all designed to protect evidence integrity and streamline daily workflows. A secure footbridge will connect the structure to the main police building, allowing controlled movement of evidence between facilities.
For the staff who manage thousands of items each year—from digital devices to biological samples—the new environment is expected to significantly improve efficiency, safety, and long‑term preservation. Leaders noted that the current building’s limitations have made organization and processing increasingly difficult as caseloads and evidence volumes have grown.
The groundbreaking drew a strong turnout from city officials, police personnel, and community members, reflecting broad support for the project. Many described the facility as a “milestone” for Gainesville, marking a shift toward more resilient and future‑ready public systems.
Construction is expected to continue through 2027, with temporary impacts to the nearby 6th Street Rail Trail and visitor parking during the build. Once complete, the facility will serve as a cornerstone of Gainesville’s public safety operations for decades, reinforcing the city’s commitment to infrastructure that supports both its workforce and the community it serves.
