Last Saturday, the City of Fruitland Park’s New Public Safety Complex earned an Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Excellence in Construction Awards, honoring the team’s commitment to quality, innovation, and community-centered construction.
The 20,707-square-foot, two-story concrete facility brings the City’s Police Department and Fire Rescue operations together under one roof, replacing the former fire station with a modern, purpose-built space designed to improve coordination, efficiency, and emergency response. Located between City Hall and the public library, the $10.5 million project strengthens the surrounding civic campus while providing first responders with the resources and functional spaces needed to serve the community.
Integrating two distinct emergency service operations into a single facility presented unique design and construction challenges. The complex features secure law enforcement spaces, including investigative suites, evidence processing, interview rooms, and a secure sally port, alongside three fire apparatus bays, firefighter living quarters, fitness areas, and dedicated decontamination spaces. The facility was thoughtfully designed to maintain each department’s operational independence while maximizing the benefits of shared training and fitness amenities.
One of the project’s most significant challenges was demolishing the existing fire station and constructing its replacement while maintaining uninterrupted emergency services. Working within a constrained site surrounded by active municipal buildings, Scorpio coordinated construction phasing, site logistics, access, and trade partner activities to keep critical public safety operations running throughout construction. Through early subcontractor involvement, disciplined cost management, detailed scheduling, and continuous quality control, the team delivered a durable, high-performance facility within the City’s established budget. The complex also incorporates dedicated clean and dirty zones and decontamination areas to support firefighter health and safety, reflecting a forward-thinking commitment to the well-being of those who serve on the front lines.
The ABC Excellence in Construction Eagle Award recognizes the collective effort, technical expertise, and collaboration that brought this important community asset to life. Scorpio extends our appreciation to the City of Fruitland Park, GatorSktch Architects & Planners, and our trade partners for their commitment to delivering a facility that will serve the community for years to come.
This recognition reinforces Scorpio’s mission of Community-Centered Construction: building facilities that strengthen essential services, support the people who protect our communities, and make a lasting positive impact. You can learn more about this project here.
