Lee County Public Safety Center expansion completed

05/31/2025

The Lee County Public Safety Center expansion, a project that enhances Lee County’s ability to serve and protect its residents during both day-to-day operations and large-scale emergencies, has been completed by Manhattan Construction Company.

The expansion adds a 36,873-square-foot, two-story wing to the existing facility on Ortiz Avenue, formerly known as the Emergency Operations Center. This state-of-the-art addition was thoughtfully designed to improve coordination, resilience, and emergency response capabilities across Lee County’s public safety agencies.

“This project represents our unwavering commitment to delivering mission-critical infrastructure for the communities we live and work in,” said Craig Bryant, vice president of Manhattan Construction Company. “We’re honored to have completed this essential facility ahead of schedule and ahead of the 2025 hurricane season — because in Lee County, preparedness saves lives.”

The new wing, designed by BSSW Architects – A GHC Studio, features advanced technology and modern amenities to support a range of vital operations. Highlights include:

  • A new Emergency Communications Center (ECC): The new ECC houses Lee County’s 911 call-taking and dispatch operations with advanced redundancies and hardened infrastructure. It ensures rapid emergency response and uninterrupted service during severe weather events.
  • Public Safety Administration and EMS offices: Centralized offices for Lee County’s Public Safety leadership and EMS teams improve coordination, planning and resource deployment. The space supports both daily operations and emergency readiness.
  • Law Enforcement Communications Unit: A dedicated area for law enforcement communications enhances real-time coordination with other first responders. The unit is integrated into the ECC for seamless response capabilities.
  • Traffic Operations Center (TOC): The TOC provides real-time monitoring of Lee County’s roadways and traffic signal systems. The Lee County Department of Transportation TOC supports incident management, emergency rerouting and efficient evacuation planning.
  • Advanced Technology & Video Wall: A multi-screen video wall displays real-time data, weather radar, GIS maps and surveillance feeds. This technology enhances situational awareness and supports quick, informed decision-making.
  • Training and Coordination Rooms: Flexible spaces support interagency meetings, daily briefings, training exercises and press events. These rooms help maintain operational readiness and improve collaboration.
  • 24/7 Resilience Amenities: Secure sleeping quarters, restrooms, showers and break areas allow responding personnel to remain onsite during emergencies. These amenities support sustained response efforts in extended activation scenarios.

During normal “blue-sky” operations, the center functions as a hub for the Department of Public Safety’s coordination and administration. When activated for emergency events — such as hurricanes or regional crises — the building becomes a fully operational command center, bringing together first responders, emergency-relief organizations, municipalities, utility companies and key county departments.

The project was planned and executed in phases to ensure the county’s existing Emergency Operations Center remained fully functional and uninterrupted during construction.

The project’s completion was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours on May 29, during which Lee County officials, public safety leaders and project partners gathered to commemorate the occasion and showcase the facility’s capabilities. A virtual tour video of the Public Safety Center will be available at a later date; to receive notification when it is posted on the county’s social media channels, sign up for the Lee County newsletter here.