Hillsborough County leaders are considering a significant land swap that could see the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Operations Center in Ybor City relocated to a larger, existing facility near Brandon. This move would pave the way for a substantial mixed-use development in the heart of Ybor City, potentially revitalizing the eight-block campus currently occupied by the Sheriff’s Office.
Key Takeaways
- A proposed land swap could relocate the HCSO Operations Center from Ybor City to a 140,000-square-foot facility near Brandon.
- The Ybor City campus would be redeveloped into a mixed-use project.
- The deal aims to address the HCSO’s need for expansion and modernize its facilities while avoiding new construction costs.
Sheriff’s Office Relocation Benefits
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, citing the aging infrastructure and lack of expansion space at the current Ybor City facility. The proposed new location, an approximately 25-acre site near Brandon, is about a 15-minute drive from the current Ybor City location and 10 minutes from the Falkenburg Road jail. This move is expected to allow the Sheriff’s Office to "grow, evolve, and provide a more effective and efficient service to the community."
County officials, including Commissioner Harry Cohen and Commissioner Pat Kemp, view the swap as a "monumental opportunity" to secure public safety investments for future generations and a "great win" for both the Sheriff’s Office and Ybor City’s redevelopment potential. John Muller, Hillsborough County Director of Facilities Management & Real Estate Services, highlighted the potential for taxpayer savings by utilizing a high-quality, existing facility rather than incurring the costs of new construction.
Ybor City Redevelopment Potential
The land swap involves developer Darryl Shaw, who is under contract to acquire the Grow Financial headquarters off Delaney Lake Drive, the proposed new site for the HCSO. If the county approves the swap, Hillsborough County would exchange the Ybor City land for this Grow Financial site. This strategic move is anticipated to unlock significant redevelopment opportunities for the eight-block HCSO campus in Ybor City, transforming it into a vibrant mixed-use development.
Darryl Shaw expressed his eagerness to collaborate on this initiative, stating, "Whenever there’s a chance to collaborate for the benefit of taxpayers, the Sheriff’s office, and Ybor City, we are always going to be interested in those opportunities." He further noted the community’s fortune in having "forward-thinking public partners who are open to exploring possibilities that could lead to long-term advantages for the community."
Next Steps
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has discussed the proposal, and further deliberations and approvals will be necessary for the land swap to proceed. The potential benefits for public safety, community development, and taxpayer value appear to be driving the momentum behind this significant county initiative.
Sources
- Hillsborough leaders look at land swap proposal involving Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Bay 28.
- Darryl Shaw closes on land swap with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, The Business Journals.