Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office began construction March 28 on its new $14.6 million District 4 office at 25490 Airport Road in Punta Gorda. Due to extensive growth in the county, CCSO officials said the law enforcement agency has outgrown its present facility.
Had it not been for voters approving a 2020 referendum for a 1% sales tax option, the groundbreaking would not have happened. Currently, funds from the sales tax referendums are being spent to accommodate the county’s population growth and harden vital facilities against future storms.
Presiding over a brief ceremony attended by numerous county officials, Board of County Commissioners Chair Bill Truex said, “It’s been a long time coming.”
He stressed the importance of the sales tax and what it means to the county in providing services to residents and bolstering the needs of first responders and others who serve the community.
Sheriff Bill Prummell thanked all who made the day possible, including the Board of County Commissioners, citizens of Charlotte County and members of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
Chuck Hardwick of Wharton-Smith Inc. leads the construction team for the 20,286-square-foot building that will house District 4 personnel, training operations and K9 support space and kennel space.
Construction of the $14.6 million facility is expected to be completed June 2025. The price tag includes design, construction cost and all permits and fees.
“Our construction contract is for $13,132,000 of the total budget,” said Caryn Huff, area manager for Wharton-Smith. The project manager is Gary Burdahl, and the design engineer/architect is Barbara Cushing with the Orlando office of Schenkel and Shultz Inc.
Those in attendance included commissioners Ken Doherty, Joe Tiseo and Stephen R. Deutsch, County Administrator Hector Flores, Assistant County Administrator Claire Jubb, Deputy County Administrator Emily Lewis and Facilities Construction & Maintenance Director Travis Perdue.
