Miami Police Department seeks ‘state-of-the-art’ new headquarters

The Miami Police Department issued a Request For Qualifications last week seeking an architect to design its new headquarters.

The new space should be “iconic, state-of-the-art and modern” in addition to incorporating LEED concepts while remaining “functionally relevant” for at least 50 years, per the RFQ. There are five components to the new design: (1) Administrative offices; (2) Central district substation; (3) Community meeting space; (4) Sufficient public and employee parking; and (5) Property/evidence storage and crime lab.

The current complex, built in 1975 and located at 400 Northwest Second Avenue just east of I-95, has been battling a variety of issues. Among the problems, per a Miami Herald article from last January, are water leaks, mold, and air-conditioning issues.

Two goals should be accomplished with the new design, the RFQ states, the first being it must “define the city, becoming instantaneously synonymous with Miami, much like the Empire State Building is synonymous with New York City.” Second, the design should “reflect MPD’s community oriented policing philosophy.”

A voluntary pre-proposal conference will be held on November 28 and proposals must be submitted by January 9.

Check out the full RFQ over here.