The City of Tampa is putting out the call to developers with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to sell the Tampa Police Department Headquarters located on N. Franklin Street, looking to transform the prime downtown real estate into a revitalizing community asset. According to the city's announcement, the site is over an acre in size, taking up a whole city block in the heart of Tampa's Central Business District—bordered by Madison St., Franklin St., N. Florida Ave., and E. Kennedy Blvd.
With a minimum bid set at $36 million for the one-acre spread, this high-stakes sale requires all propositions to be in by February 6, 2026, and for the real estate closing to occur no later than January 31, 2027, the successful bidder will be taking on all the expenses that come alongside such a project, ranging from demolition to construction, including environmental reviews, surveying, engineering, architecture, rezoning and anything else needed to pave the way for the new development. Mayor Jane Castor has high hopes for the parcel, stating “Downtown Tampa is evolving fast, and this site offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine a key parcel in the heart of downtown,” and she envisions the project to serve as a keystone for further growth and vitality in the area.
Responses to the RFP must be comprehensive, containing not just a cover letter but in-depth organizational information, a detailed cost and financing plan, alongside any requested pre-closing conditions and terms for special agreements. The proposition comes as part of a broader strategy to transform the downtown district into a more modern and community-focused area, while relocating the Tampa Police Department to new digs that can better meet the changing needs of the city.
