The move is seen as being as important for the area as the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Scotland’s largest police force has been operating out of a former college building in Pitt Street since 1975.
But the building is described as no longer fit for purpose and according to deputy chief constable Neil Richardson is becoming a bottomless money pit.
He insists the new state-of-the-art HQ on the banks of the Clyde in Dalmarnock -- just 800 yards from the Commonwealth Games Village site -- will not only be more cost-effective but will also help in the fight against crime.
Mr Richardson said: “The nature of crime is constantly evolving and the threat from domestic and international terrorism remains real and present.
“New ways have to be found to combat crime and terrorism, new ways of working have to be encouraged and staff have to remain motivated to perform at their best.
“A proposed new building is not merely about bricks and mortar, it is about enabling change and delivering improvement in all aspects of the work of the force.
“With Glasgow 2014 fast approaching and a clear aim by public agencies to attract further major events to the force area, more and more scrutiny will be placed on Strathclyde Police to manage events.
“The terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport in 2007 shows the very real threat that exists in our communities from domestic and international extremists.”
The present base in Pitt Street is a warren of small offices which is inefficient, impractical and increasingly expensive to run.
Figures which will go before a special meeting of the Police Authority at the end of this month show a new HQ would cost £2.3m a year to run compared to Pitt Street’s £3.7m.
Selling off the present HQ site in the city centre is expected to raise around £2.3m toward the cost of the new building.
Mr Richardson added: “Relocating to Clyde Gateway will not only be a clear signal that this part of Glasgow is open for business but it will also release a large part of prime real estate.”
The new five-storey HQ, which is expected to open in late 2013, is just over half a mile from Polmadie junction of the new M74 and next to Bridgeton and Dalmarnock stations. It will be the base for around 900 staff.
Mr Richardson admitted the police are facing tough times with budget cuts, redundancies and restructuring to find savings.
Over the next couple of years, Strathclyde Police, which has 8000 officers and just over 2500 support staff, will lose 600 support staff and possibly up to 200 officers.
Stephen Curran, convener of Strathclyde Police Authority, said: “The headquarters building at Pitt Street is not fit for purpose and requires to be replaced.
“The running and repair costs of the current building are a major burden on a significantly reduced budget.” A spokesman for Clyde Gateway said building the new police HQ in Dalmarnock would be as important to the East End as the coming Commonwealth Games.
He added: “The relocation of such a high-profile HQ will be a key part of the transformation of the East End of Glasgow, bringing new jobs to the area and regenerating a key riverside frontage.
“It will demonstrate the Clyde Gateway area is now a very viable business location and we firmly believe the Strathclyde Police HQ will be a catalyst for other investors, developers and occupiers to move to other strategic sites in south Dalmarnock and Shawfield close to the river.
“It will be as important and significant a decision for the East End as that taken by the delegates in Sri Lanka when they awarded the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.”
Shettleston MSP Frank McAveety said the new police HQ will provide a boost for local shops and businesses.
He added: “It is good to see a site which has been derelict for a considerable period being developed with a high-quality, high-cost investment.”
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the move.
He said: “During a time of public-sector cuts, it is important funds continue to be made available for investment in modern efficient premises which can ultimately reduce running costs. The new East End site would provide good value for money in addition to demonstrating confidence in the regeneration of the area in the lead-up to the 2014 Games and beyond.”
However, Gerry Crawley, regional organiser of Unison, said he was unhappy the force was spending money on a business plan.
He added: “Pitt Street is in wrack and ruin and they need a new building for the staff to work in, but we are not happy Strathclyde Police is spending £350,000 of its budget at a time of financial crisis.
“People are facing redundancy and that money is the equivalent of 15 support staff jobs -- so it should come from the Scottish Government.”
