Construction of $13.8M North Port emergency operations center begins

Work has officially begun on the new North Port Emergency Operations Center. When complete, the nearly $14 million building will span 16,000 square feet and provide a dedicated space for coordinated disaster response.

Currently, the city’s emergency operations center is in a second-floor conference room in City Hall that limits capacity during major events, according to a statement.

North Port and project officials recently held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the project in the 4900 block of City Center Boulevard, adjacent to the site where Fire Station 81 is underway.

The new building will be equipped with technology and hardened construction to support the city — which is home to 96,000 residents — in the event of an emergency. It will include a large coordination room, call center, breakout rooms, GIS mapping and IT space, joint information center and resources to support 24/7 operations, according to a statement.

"As we turn the soil today, we’re not just breaking ground on a building; we’re laying the foundation for resilience, collaboration and service to our community," North Port Emergency Manager Stacy Aloisio said at the groundbreaking ceremony. "This Emergency Operations Center will stand as a symbol of preparedness and teamwork, ready to serve our residents when they need us most."

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Ajax Building Company is handling the construction of the North Port Emergency Operations Center, while Schenkel Shultz is the architect.

Funding for the $13.8 million project comes primarily through infrastructure surtax and building funds, according to a statement. North Port is pursuing state appropriations and grants to cover the cost of furnishings and equipment. In the statement, city officials say that moving forward now helps avoid significant cost escalation in the future.

Construction is expected to be complete in April 2027.