Commission: build new sheriff’s office downtown

SEBRING - There could be a new sheriff's office, and it would be across Palmetto Avenue from the current facility.

At least that was the 3-2 consensus at Tuesday morning's workshop. It was a non-binding vote at the workshop.

The Highlands County commissioners and previous boards have decided before to relocate the sheriff's office to George Boulevard, and the property and evidence division at the Kenilworth Business Center. Just last month, Commissioner Ron Handley told the other four commissioners it occurred to him that the county also should move 75 deputies and office staff from sheriff's Liberty Star Plaza to the metal building at 4500 Kenilworth Blvd.

The Palmetto Avenue proposal was recommended by Sheriff Susan Benton. It would cost about $8.8 million to build, County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete estimated.

The county already owns a parking lot fronting Eucalyptus Street. Benton called a real estate agent about the two available lots and was told they were listed at $49,500 each.

"You'd better write 'em a check, sheriff," Handley advised; when property owners know the county wants it, the price will go up.

That would give the county enough room for 41,740 square feet, which will include Property and Evidence, currently located in the jail, Crime Scene Investigations, and the 75 deputies and staff who are currently renting Liberty Star Plaza.

Construction costs would be about $180 per square feet, Gavarrete estimated. Renovating an older building like Bank of America would cost about $125 per square foot, he said.

Commissioners generally rejected buying Sebring City Hall because the county would have to tear down the current buildings, relocate city government and refurbish the Bank of America building. That option bore the highest estimate: $9.7 million.

George Boulevard and Restoration Center would be too far from downtown; Liberty Star and Kenilworth are too small.

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Commission: build new sheriff's office downtown