City of Santa Maria Police Department Headquarters Renovation
Santa Maria, California
Client: City of Santa Maria
Diani Building Corp. completed the adaptive reuse and structural retrofit of an existing 70,000 SF commercial office building—formerly occupied by aerospace and engineering operations—into a modern, mission-critical Police Department headquarters for the City of Santa Maria.
Originally constructed as a non-essential facility, the building required a comprehensive seismic upgrade to meet essential services (public safety) standards. Diani performed a full structural retrofit, including the installation of concrete tilt-up wall systems, reinforced connections, and the addition of sister steel columns to strengthen the existing frame and meet higher seismic performance requirements.
Following structural upgrades, the project involved a complete interior demolition and rebuild, transforming the facility into a fully operational law enforcement environment. Construction included:
- Secure holding and sally port areas, constructed with high-impact, abuse-resistant materials for durability
- A hardened evidence storage facility with controlled access systems and chain-of-custody infrastructure
- Installation of bullet-resistant glazing systems throughout critical areas
- A state-of-the-art crime lab, expanded detective bureau, and modern training and briefing spaces
- Raised access flooring systems to accommodate complex communications and dispatch infrastructure
- Upgraded mechanical, electrical, and communications systems to support 24/7 operations
The project also required integration of advanced security and surveillance systems, including controlled access zones and monitored interview rooms, replacing traditional observation methods with modern digital solutions.
Diani executed the work within an existing structure while coordinating closely with the City to ensure the facility met the functional, security, and operational needs of a growing police department. The renovation ultimately delivered a facility four times larger than the previous station, designed to support long-term community growth and evolving public safety demands.
This project highlights Diani Building Corp.’s expertise in complex adaptive reuse, seismic retrofit, and public safety construction, successfully transforming an outdated commercial building into a modern, resilient law enforcement headquarters.
