MCFARLAND, Calif.—The City of McFarland has officially broken ground on a new 15,600‑square‑foot Police Headquarters and Community Center, marking a major investment in public safety and civic engagement for the growing Kern County community. The December ceremony brought together city leaders, state officials, and project partners to celebrate a facility designed to modernize police operations while strengthening ties between officers and residents.
The project, designed by Dewberry, will relocate the McFarland Police Department from its longtime home inside City Hall to a purpose‑built complex on Mast Avenue. The current arrangement has long constrained the department’s ability to expand services, host community programs, and operate with the technology and space required of a contemporary law‑enforcement agency. The new headquarters is intended to resolve those limitations while creating a more welcoming, accessible environment for public interaction.
To meet the city’s budget requirements, Dewberry developed a strategic phasing plan and a compact building footprint that maintains full functionality without compromising long‑term operational needs. The design team includes KPFF Consulting Engineers for civil engineering, Martin/Martin, Inc. for structural engineering, and P2S for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems.
State Senator Melissa Hurtado played a key role in securing state funding for the project, helping move the long‑discussed facility from concept to construction. Speaking at the groundbreaking, Mayor Saul Ayon emphasized the broader civic impact of the new building, noting that “these changes will help to expand not only the police department but community outreach as well.” Police Chief Adrian Olmos, a driving force behind the project, highlighted the department’s goal of building stronger relationships with residents and creating a space that supports youth programs, public meetings, and collaborative initiatives.
With construction imminently kicking off, completion is anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. Once open, the facility will serve as both the operational hub for McFarland’s police force and a community‑centered venue designed to foster trust, transparency, and partnership between law enforcement and the public.
The City of McFarland, California, has officially broken ground on a new 15,600‑square‑foot Police Headquarters and Community Center, marking a major investment in public safety and civic engagement for the growing Kern County community. The December ceremony brought together city leaders, state officials, and project partners to celebrate a facility designed to modernize police operations while strengthening ties between officers and residents.
The project, designed by Dewberry, will relocate the McFarland Police Department from its longtime home inside City Hall to a purpose‑built complex on Mast Avenue. The current arrangement has long constrained the department’s ability to expand services, host community programs, and operate with the technology and space required of a contemporary law‑enforcement agency. The new headquarters is intended to resolve those limitations while creating a more welcoming, accessible environment for public interaction.
To meet the city’s budget requirements, Dewberry developed a strategic phasing plan and a compact building footprint that maintains full functionality without compromising long‑term operational needs. The design team includes KPFF Consulting Engineers for civil engineering, Martin/Martin, Inc. for structural engineering, and P2S for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems.
State Senator Melissa Hurtado played a key role in securing state funding for the project, helping move the long‑discussed facility from concept to construction. Speaking at the groundbreaking, Mayor Saul Ayon emphasized the broader civic impact of the new building, noting that “these changes will help to expand not only the police department but community outreach as well.” Police Chief Adrian Olmos, a driving force behind the project, highlighted the department’s goal of building stronger relationships with residents and creating a space that supports youth programs, public meetings, and collaborative initiatives.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. Once open, the facility will serve as both the operational hub for McFarland’s police force and a community‑centered venue designed to foster trust, transparency, and partnership between law enforcement and the public.
