Search
Close this search box.

Shalimar unveils new police department building

The Shalimar Police Department celebrated the opening of its new headquarters with a public Social Hour and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Mayor Mark Franks revealed that the project was largely financed through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. The town secured […]

Town of Shalimar

The Shalimar Police Department celebrated the opening of its new headquarters with a public Social Hour and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

  • The event, which included food and beverages, began with a social hour at 5:00 PM, followed by the official ribbon cutting at 6:00 PM.

Mayor Mark Franks revealed that the project was largely financed through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. The town secured $417,000 in ARPA funding in 2021 for the project.

Initially, plans called for constructing a new 1,000-square-foot building. However, when a property at 6 Cherokee Rd. became available, officials decided to remodel the existing 1941 structure instead. The property, similar in size and layout to the proposed new construction, was previously owned by Lateresa Kellock, a former Town Clerk from the early 1970s.

Town of Shalimar

Contractor bids for the remodel ranged from $800,000 to $1.2 million. To reduce costs, Special Projects Commissioner Brian Taylor volunteered to manage the project. Taylor, who has a background in construction, oversaw permitting, contracting, quality control, and design oversight.

  • “Brian undertook all the permitting, letting of contracts, quality control, and design oversight,” Franks said. “He personally did electrical, plumbing and carpentry work on many weekends to keep the project on track despite numerous structural and design changes that were uncovered during the remodel process.”

The final cost of the project, including the property purchase and original engineering expenses, totaled $508,000 — less than half of the lowest contractor bid.

In recognition of Taylor’s efforts, the Town Commission dedicated the building to him and presented him with a plaque to be displayed in the police station.

“What a fantastic job and effort for the Shalimar taxpayers!” Franks said.

The new police department building represents a significant upgrade for the Shalimar community, providing modern facilities for law enforcement operations while preserving a piece of the town’s history.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Yea Don Gaetz of all people, he should go!”
Respond
“Why the H... does anyone vote for any politician who is in favor of having the horrible disgusting private beaches? Every resident, every visitor, every tax payer MUST have a...”
Respond
“The air force doesn't own or need the land! It isn't theirs. It was mostly Choctawhatchee National Forest. The air force tried to sell that land in the 2000's but...”
Respond
“Those signs that you recommend have been there for years, just people annoyed them to the point that Eglin has now had to step the game up”
Respond
“Now that Ms. Ketchel has torn down more dunes, plus paved over what was beautiful sand, golf carts can drive from one end to the other. No way to cross...”
Respond
“It shows the beach being a part of the property. This was part of the plot plan. When the documents were shown to the attorney in depositions the Walton County...”
Respond
“Great history lesson. The only point I'll disagree with is the multi use path... I think its a good thing. Maybe a lot of money but it may save a...”
Respond
“This fence is a colossal waste of DoD dollars and needs to be investigated. These dollars should have been spent supporting the warfighter. The ruse that it protects environmentally sensitive...”
Respond
“This article is obviously written by someone with 0 knowledge of the area. The erosion happening now is because " The Wall," as anyone that's been here since the 70's...”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.