Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Ybor City could move under land swap proposal

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office could vacate its Ybor City location under a land swap proposal put forward by developer Darryl Shaw.

According to a news release, the sheriff's office would move to its headquarters in Ybor City, in a newer facility — three times larger — that Shaw is under contract to acquire.

It would also better connect this location to parts of the Ybor City Historic District.

The Sheriff's Office is located at 2008 E. 8th Ave. Under the proposal, it would move to Grow Financial's current headquarters at 9927 Delaney Lake Dr., about eight miles away near the Brandon Mall.

Grow Financial recently announced it will be moving to a new office building as part of Shaw's Gasworx development in Ybor City.

This building should be inaugurated this summer.

“Public safety is and always will be my top priority – without it, nothing else matters,” Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen said in the release. “We have an opportunity here to seek an innovative solution to our Hillsborough Sherriff’s aging facility and provide his team with a home that will serve future generations.”

The Ybor City office, comprised of buildings constructed more than 100 years ago, spans just over 8 acres.

Grow Financial's headquarters, built in 2005, is a 5-story building spanning approximately 24 acres and is nearly twice the size of the current sheriff's headquarters, according to the release.

“I support the County's incredible collaboration with Mr. Shaw to initiate this land exchange, which will increase the efficiency of the services we provide to the community, support future growth and reduce costs to taxpayers,” said the Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in the release. .

According to the release, relocating the sheriff's office would “reconnect 9th Avenue to restore the historic street network and encourage the redevelopment of parcels for residential and commercial use.”

Commissioners are expected to discuss the proposal at the June 20 board meeting.