09/15/2026
A new home for the Treasure Island Police Department (TIPD) and Treasure Island Fire Rescue (TIFR) is one step closer to reality. At its September 15 meeting, the City Commission voted 4-1 to approve a Design-Build Agreement to construct a new public safety facility. The project is expected to cost a total of $10.8 million, with $4 million from State of Florida appropriations. The facility will be built on 108th Avenue at the former City Hall site.
The city's public safety building was built in 1957 and plans to replace it were already underway when Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused destruction that made building a new facility urgent. The new, hurricane-resistant facility will house both TIPD and TIFR, strengthening emergency services and protecting the community for decades.
"This Public Safety Building is about much more than replacing a fire station; it is about ensuring Treasure Island is prepared to protect our community for decades to come," said TIFR Chief Trip Barrs. "Hurricane Helene demonstrated just how vulnerable our critical public safety infrastructure can be. Our firefighters and first responders need a hardened, reliable facility that remains operational when our residents need us most. This investment will strengthen our ability to respond to everyday emergencies, withstand future storms, and continue providing the level of fire, EMS, and public safety service our community expects and deserves."
The new facility will be engineered to exceed current coastal construction standards and Risk Category IV requirements, with storm-surge protection and hurricane-resistant features integrated throughout. It will consolidate TIPD operations under one roof, with secure offices, evidence storage, and space for community engagement. The building will also include a TIFR station with a three-bay garage for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, sleeping and meeting quarters, and a multipurpose training and meeting room that can double as a post-storm Emergency Operations Center.
“This new Public Safety Building represents more than bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of Treasure Island’s resilience and an anchor for our community,” said TIPD Chief John Bakley. “After all we have endured, this facility will provide our first responders with a safe, modern home from which to serve and protect our residents and visitors for generations to come.”
Groundbreaking for the new public safety facility is scheduled for early October, with major construction beginning in December 2026.