ST. LOUIS • Less than one minute after launching the St. Louis Police Foundation's capital campaign to help the department pay for moving into its new headquarters, the nonprofit group's president, Doug Albrecht, ended it Tuesday by handing the chief a check for $3 million.

"He's about the only guy I know that can announce and end a capital campaign in 28 seconds," joked sportscaster Joe Buck, one of the featured speakers at the organization's fifth annual luncheon at America's Center downtown.

The department originally estimated it would cost $5 million to renovate the building it acquired at 1915 Olive Street. A general contractor voluntarily reviewed the plans and narrowed the cost to $3 million.

An anonymous donor footed $2 million of the assistance, with $250,000 coming from the Ruth D. and Whylie Todd Charitable Foundation and $750,000 coming from the Albrecht Family Foundation. Doug Albrecht said the goal is to see the department move from its old base at 1200 Clark Avenue within 12 to 18 months.

There was an audible gasp among the audience of about 1,000 after Albrecht's announcement.

"This means that the renovations and improvements are completely paid for, but there are no modern furnishings," Albrecht said, adding that the nonprofit foundation is seeking donations for everything from trash cans to office furniture.

In January, the department announced it was buying the building at 1915 Olive Street from Wells Fargo for $2.7 million, with plans to move headquarters there. The seven-story building was built in 1990 by the Sherwood Medical Group, which left eight years later.

The current headquarters dates to 1927 and needs extensive renovation, including repairs to its heating and cooling systems, new plumbing and work to address fire hazards. One engineering firm estimated the cost of renovating it could reach $75 million.

In a video previewing the need for a new building, the current headquarters was dubbed "a landmark on life support."

"It's a century-old building that's outdated and hazardous," Chief Dan Isom said.

He promised that the move would translate into better service because the new facility will have better technology and provide a hub to house units now scattered in various locations.

Isom called the department's original $5 million budget for the renovations of the new facility a "rough estimate."

Robert Brinkmann, president of Brinkmann Constructors, volunteered to review those plans "and found $2 million in savings," Albrecht said. "I knew that we needed to raise $3 million ... so I made two sales calls for the shortest capital campaign ever."

Isom was not specific on where Brinkmann found the savings. He was left nearly speechless after Albrecht handed him the check.

"All I can say is thank you," the chief said.

Albrecht said the event, which also featured football and baseball Hall of Famers Dan Dierdorf and Ozzie Smith, raised about $350,000.

Pamphlets on the tables advertised the "Furnishing Drive," asking for donations to outfit the new headquarters with everything from exercise equipment to pencil sharpeners.

Buck personally pledged to buy 15 27-inch televisions valued at about $9,750. "The TVs are on me," Buck said. "I think you should all be able to watch episodes of 'Jersey Shore' ... when you're not working, of course."

Since it was formed in 2007, the foundation raised more than $2 million to pay for new technology, programs and equipment — including bullet-resistant vests, in-car cameras and dress uniforms for funerals and ceremonial events.

Isom said Tuesday's donation means the department can start planning its move right away. "We were just waiting for that piece, the money for the build out," he said. "This is a historic move."