Work begins on Gulf Shores’ new $21 million police dept., jail & court complex

Work begins on Gulf Shores’ new $21 million police dept., jail & court complex

In a significant step forward for public safety infrastructure, the Gulf Shores City Council has awarded Persons Services Corporation a $20,987,223 contract to transform the former Sacred Heart Medical Office Building into a new Justice Center.
The complex will unite the police department, municipal courts, and jail into one modern complex, addressing critical space and operational needs for law enforcement. In addition, the facility will provide a new incident command center designed to enhance the continuity of operations during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Located on Medical Village Boulevard, the project represents a crucial investment in providing law enforcement with the modern facilities they need to serve and protect the community.
“Public safety is our top priority. Our current police station is outdated and does not provide modern facilities or resources our police officers deserve,” said Mayor Robert Craft. “This new Justice Center demonstrates our commitment to supporting the brave men and women who keep our community safe.”
The project stems from a comprehensive city-wide Staffing and Facility Needs Assessment conducted by Matrix Consulting Group in 2019-2020, which identified the current police station and jail as the property most urgently requiring replacement. The project includes a complete renovation of the existing 42,000-square-foot building to accommodate personnel and courts, and a new jail facility at the rear of the building.
The complex represents the largest public safety infrastructure investment in Gulf Shores’ history and will unite the entire police department, municipal courts, and jail facilities under one roof. This innovative approach to repurposing an existing building represents smart growth and fiscal responsibility while addressing critical public safety needs.
The city will host a “breaching” ceremony for the complex on March 21 at 10 a.m. at 312 Medical Village Blvd. Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with completion targeted for the summer of 2026. For more info, call (251) 968-2425.