CASPER, WY — The Casper Police Department will occupy a brand‑new, city‑owned headquarters in the former Casper Business Center on November 19, 2028, the city announced Monday. The move will bring together patrol officers, criminal investigators, the 911 dispatch center, evidence storage and municipal court functions into a single, modern facility.
Why the new building matters
A 2020 facility assessment showed the department was spread across multiple rented spaces, offering only 34,760 square feet of usable area—far short of the 65,625 square feet deemed necessary for effective policing. By consolidating operations, the city expects faster response times, improved coordination among law‑enforcement units and reduced overhead costs.
Construction timeline and phases
The multi‑phase renovation is on track to finish major construction by October 6, 2028, with final completion slated for early November. Phase III, approved by the City Council through a contract change order with Sampson Construction, will finish interior spaces for the police, the Municipal Court, the Casper‑Natrona County Public Safety Communications Center and city IT offices. The scope also includes a secure vehicle‑transfer garage and standby power systems to keep dispatch and life‑safety systems running during outages.
Funding and investment
Phase II and Phase III together represent roughly $38.9 million in projected expenditures, building on the $6.2 million spent in Phase I for demolition and environmental abatement. The city originally purchased the seven‑story building at 123 W. 1st St. in 2022 for about $8 million, using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Current work and upcoming steps
Phase II infrastructure upgrades are underway, focusing on heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, roofing and window replacements. Contractors expect overlapping work between Phases II and III to begin in December, keeping the project on schedule.
Outside the building, utility providers are relocating underground lines so the city can formally vacate an adjacent alley before constructing the secure garage on the property’s east side. Structural repairs for the attached parking garage will be handled as a separate, independent project.
Community impact
City leaders say the new headquarters will enhance public safety, streamline court processes and provide a visible, permanent home for law‑enforcement in downtown Casper. Residents can look forward to a safer, more efficient police presence and a modern civic center that reflects Casper’s commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Mayor Jeff Baker praised the project, noting that “investing in a consolidated, state‑of‑the‑art police facility is an investment in the safety and well‑being of every Casper family.” The department’s leadership echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the new headquarters will allow officers to focus more on community policing and less on logistical challenges.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
