These two new single-story buildings are built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane (156 mph one-minute sustained wind, 190 mph three-second gusts) and enable the City to operate and coordinate emergency services and repairs, during and after a storm or emergency event. Constructed to LEED standards, the Administration Building earned LEED Gold Certification with the Operations Facility earning LEED Platinum Certification, the highest ranking attainable by the United States Green Building Council. The new Public Works Administration and Emergency Operations Center totals 4,476 gross square feet, and provides the department’s administration offices, conference / support spaces, and the City’s emergency operations and data center.
The construction is structural concrete precast wall panels and double “T” precast concrete roof system, hardened to withstand category five hurricane force winds with FEMA 361 rated storefront entry doors and high velocity impact windows, and able to sustain tornado force winds. Self-contained, the building is equipped with an independent generator systems with hurricane protected enclosures to fully power the facility along with a potable water supply and sewage containment system, and food storage for up to seven days including showers, lockers and warming kitchen to sustain the city emergency staff. The EOC includes a 38 feet collapsible antenna system to enable continued emergency communications. Photovoltaic (PV) panels (solar) are installed on both roof systems which generate an estimated 86,732 kw of electricity annually to power the buildings during normal operation; and are equipped with solar collectors to provide direct heating of the hot water supply. Using special energy saving measures, both buildings’ energy consumption is reduced by 80% and water consumption reduced by 50%.