TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla.—A long‑discussed plan to build a new public safety complex in Temple Terrace is advancing after city leaders voted to place a $50 million general obligation bond on the August primary election ballot. Voters will decide whether to fund a new facility that would house both the Police Department and Fire Station 3.
The proposed complex would be built on a five‑acre parcel at 7911 Harney Road, which the city purchased in 2024 for $1.6 million using proceeds from the sale of Raulerson Ranch. The project is intended to replace the Police Department’s decades‑old workspace on the third floor of City Hall, where officers have operated since the late 1970s.
City officials say the department has significantly outgrown its current 11,000‑square‑foot footprint. Staffing has expanded from roughly 20 sworn officers in the early 1980s to 57 today, along with 20 civilian employees. The department’s evidence room now stores about 40,000 items, requiring makeshift shelving and space‑saving measures that push the limits of what the building can safely support. Training areas have also been repurposed for office space as the department has tried to adapt to increasing demands.
Population growth has contributed to the strain. Temple Terrace had about 11,000 residents in 1982; today, the population exceeds 28,000. City leaders argue that the new complex is necessary to keep pace with service needs and to provide adequate training, evidence storage, and operational space.
If approved, the bond would fund construction of a modern police station with an expanded evidence room, dedicated training facilities, and updated infrastructure designed for long‑term growth. Fire Station 3 would also relocate to the site, improving coordination between police and fire services.
The bond would be repaid through a separate line item on property tax bills. City officials estimate the average household would pay about $180 per year over 30 years, though the amount could fluctuate slightly from year to year. They also note that rejecting the bond may not prevent future cost increases. Rising fire response times could eventually affect the department’s certification, potentially leading to higher homeowners insurance rates.
Ahead of the August 18 vote, the city plans to hold town hall meetings and distribute informational materials to help residents understand the proposal and its long‑term implications for public safety services.
