<i>The first floor shell of the new Gainesville Police headquarters. (WUFT News)</i>
The Gainesville Police Department is one step closer to moving into its new headquarters.
The department held a ceremony Friday to mark the final piece of steel being added to the building's new roof this week. Significant work remains on the building's interior.
Project Manager Capt. Lonnie Scott said he's excited to have his co-workers back under one roof.
"We've been without a building now for over three years," he said. "It's like having a family and the family's not living together."
GPD spokesman Ben Tobias said it was a special moment for the entire department.
"We're not downplaying any of the memories we have from that old building, but it's definitely time to move on to something new," Tobias said.
A crew demolished a 50-plus-year-old building in January at 721 NW 6th Street to make room for the new facility.
Chief Tony Jones said there was just really no need to try renovating the old building.
The new building stands two stories tall, and its overall complex will include a training facility and a community room for public use. It's scheduled to open in spring 2014.
<i>The shell of the second floor of the new GPD headquarters. (WUFT News) </i>
<i>Michael Bremner, a Florida Atlantic Iron Works employee, flexes Friday at the new Gainesville Police headquarters building. His company was one of the city's contractors for the project. Its slogan on his shirt: "We are proud of our erection!" (WUFT News) </i>
<i>Gainesville Police Department's new headquarters on NW 6th Street. (WUFT News) </i>
<i>GPD spokesman Ben Tobias on Friday in his department's new headquarters building. (WUFT News) </i>