The City of Bettendorf is putting plans into action as it takes two big steps in the building of a new police station.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Bettendorf City Council approved a resolution to begin construction, moments after ceremoniously breaking ground at the site of the new building, located at 4501 Devils Glen Road.
“This is a monumental day, and it would not be possible without the support of our community,” said Mayor Bob Gallagher. “During the Scott County City/School Election on November 4, 2025, nearly 74% of voters approved a referendum supporting this project. They said YES because they understand that public safety is what makes the City of Bettendorf a wonderful place to live, work, play, invest, and visit.”
“It means a lot when the community comes out to support public safety,” said President and CEO of Estes Construction, Kent Pilcher. “For all the people who literally put their lives on the line every day, to be able to build this kind of facility for them is a real privilege, and we take that very seriously.”
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City Council’s decision directs Estes Construction, the construction manager, to award subcontracts for the first four bid packages:
- Site Work & Utilities
- Concrete
- Structural Masonry
- Precast & Steel
In total, there will be 12 bid packages for the various trades included in the $27 million project. Construction on the 58,600-square-foot building is expected to last approximately 12 months, weather permitting.
“Since receiving voter approval, we have spent the past nine months designing a police facility that will meet the Bettendorf Police Department’s needs today and for decades to come,” said Chief Doug Scott. “Seeing construction underway at the future home of our department is truly exciting, and we look forward to the day we can move in and begin serving the community from this new building.”
Apart from being centrally located, which allows for better response times within the community, the new police station will feature collaborative workspaces, adequate facilities to train officers, secure spaces for the protection of staff, officers, equipment, and fleet, improvements to evidence storage, a community room, plus the ability to grow the department, attract, and retain officers.
"This building will stand as a beacon for the time present and the future to come as a strong measure of how public safety is important to our community, and we are very thankful to be part of that,” said Vice President-Quad Cities at Bray Architects, John Mahon.
November 19, 2025 update
The City of Bettendorf is excited to move forward with plans to build a new police station after nearly 74% of voters said yes to the project in the Scott County City/School Election that took place on November 4, 2025.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Bettendorf City Council approved a resolution to amend the city’s contract with Bray Architects so they can finish designing the station.
“The initial agreement with Bray covered the preliminary work for the project, including master planning, space needs assessments, preliminary floor planning, and design and cost estimating,” said Brent Morlok, City Engineer in his Council Letter located on page 10 of the City Council Packet, which you can find here. “With the public bond referendum having passed on November 4, a contract amendment is needed to authorize final design.”
Project timeline
Fall 2025–spring 2026
The final design is divided into three phases: schematic design, design development, and construction documents. During the schematic design phase, which is expected to last three months, the Core Planning Team (CPT), comprising of Bray, Estes Construction, and staff from the city’s Police, Administration, Public Works, Finance, and Legal Departments, will review such items as the site plan, building footprint, building massing and circulation, and exterior design. During the design development phase, which will follow the schematic design phase and last approximately three months, Bray, Estes, and the CPT will begin engineering building systems, such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, and provide more detailed information on the design, while also selecting materials.
Winter 2026
As work on the final design progresses, the city’s Finance Department plans to sell the first set of bonds to pay for the project in February 2026. As mentioned during public informational meetings leading up to the referendum vote, the city will only issue bonds in the amount necessary to construct and equip the facility, which cannot exceed the $27 million that voters authorized. To help residents understand the tax impact on their property once all the necessary bonds are sold, the city has created an estimation for every address that can be assessed by clicking here.
Spring 2026–fall 2026
Once the design development phase is complete, the CPT will prepare final construction documents and start bidding for the project. Several bid packages are anticipated, with the full project expected to be bid by September 2026. At this time, a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) will be established between the city and Estes, which cannot exceed $27 million as mentioned above. The total project cost includes construction, design and construction management fees, and owner-provided costs (utility connection feeds, furniture, technology equipment, etc.).
Fall 2026–fall 2027
Construction is expected to last approximately one year and be completed by the end of 2027, weather permitting.
Budget checkpoints
Detailed budgeting will take place throughout the entire final design. However, there are four established checkpoints when Bray will ensure the project remains on budget: after the schematic design phase, after the design development phase, halfway through the construction documents phase, and after the completion of the construction documents phase. With Estes having already been selected as the construction manager, they will work jointly with Bray during the final design phase to ensure the GMP is in line with city budget expectations.
Final product
This police station will not only modernize but will also significantly assist the Bettendorf Police Department in its mission to protect and serve. Apart from being centrally located, which allows for better response times within the community, it will feature collaborative workspaces, adequate facilities to train officers, secure spaces for the protection of staff, officers, equipment, and fleet, improvements to evidence storage, a community room, plus the ability to grow the department, attract, and retain officers.
"The Bettendorf Police Department is deeply grateful to our community for passing the referendum,” said Doug Scott, Police Chief. “We are excited to begin this next chapter and are patiently looking forward to the day we can move into our new police station.”
Be in the know
We will keep the community updated throughout this entire process on this web page. For questions about the project, email police@bettendorf.org.
