Category Archives: Uncategorized

ADG Completes Programming and Master Plan of City of Fort Myers Fire Station No.1 and Administration Facility

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ADG has completed programming and master planning services for the City of Ft. Myers three-story fire station and administration facility. The new 30,000 SF facility will meet current and future (2025) needs, and is to include a fully staffed Fire Station No. 1 and central operations for Fire Administration and Fire Prevention. The new facility will greatly enhance the City’s public safety and emergency disaster preparedness.

The consolidation of Fire Administration and Fire Prevention services with Fire Station No. 1 will achieve economies in construction and enhance the efficiency of operations and personnel.  Fire Station No. 1 will effectively serve as the central fire station for the department, providing training, equipment maintenance functions, and material storage.

The new facility will provide a multi-purpose classroom on the first floor which can accommodate personnel from the entire department as well as smaller break out meetings and training sessions.  This location also serves to provide a flexible and secure community meeting space.

The station is proposed as a five-bay drive-through arrangement, housing apparatus to serve Station No.1 and the storage of reserve apparatus. As a critical facility, the construction systems will be designed to survive a Category 5 hurricane, and will be equipped with an emergency generator and on-site fuel storage located above flood elevation.  Gas and diesel fueling for apparatus is also provided.

ADG is committed to sustainable architecture and the project will seek LEED Silver certification from the USGBC. The master site plan development considers the preservation of existing open space and mature vegetation, on-site stormwater retention, and the redevelopment of an existing parking area and building pad location for the requirements of the new facility, to minimize further impacts beyond the existing impervious footprint.

The facility will be provided with water conserving and metered fixtures, and automated building systems controls for lighting and HVAC. Energy efficient construction is to include thermally efficient glazing assemblies and envelope design, solar shading, and the installation of a “cool” roof. Flexibility to accommodate the future provision of integrated photovoltaic systems and other on-site renewable energy systems is a further design consideration.

Critical Government Facilities for the 21st Century

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In today’s world we deal with issues never before anticipated…acts of global terrorism, a sensitivity to energy consumption, an international economy in disarray, disruption of technology (the internet) by disgruntle groups and individuals, etc., etc. Many of these we can address, given sufficient time and the commitment of appropriate resources. One area of specific concern is how counties and cities develop facilities to accommodate critical infrastructure. In many instances the “issues” noted above have a direct impact upon these facilities, primarily associated with survivability, hardening, security and similarly related elements. All of these have a direct impact upon facility cost and must now become a point of early discussion when developing project programs and budgets. A Communications Center, as an example, significantly increases in cost, when factoring in the additional expenses of a building that must be designed to resist the dynamitic forces of a Category 5 storm event….or a series of surge waves from an adjacent body of water.

What we have found and what we clearly recommend is that governmental entities should carefully consider the premise of co-siting critical infrastructure services; such as Communications, Information Technology, Records, Fire Administration, Financial Services, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management. Those critical services, when appropriately accommodated in a “survivable” structure, will be there and able to function, before, during and after a catastrophic event. The ability to continue to provide critical services is, and will be, the responsibility that we must endeavor to accomplish.

I.S.K. Reeves V, FAIA
President

Developing Successful Teaming Opportunities for Complex Public Safety Projects

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As a firm that specializes in planning and designing Public Safety facilities, Architects Design Group has found that establishing teams with local architects and engineers has many advantages for all parties involved. As our work is national in scope, we have learned that local involvement has a distinct benefit not only in the selection process, but as the project progresses into design and construction.

In many cases, governmental entities want to see local firms involved in their projects, especially in this time of economic instability and stress. Many times local architecture firms may not have the necessary specialized experience needed for a complex Public Safety project, but they can offer the client immediate local availability. In this case, it is beneficial for local firms to team with a national Public Safety Architect, such as Architects Design Group, that provides specific and in-depth experience with complex projects such as Law Enforcement, Fire, Communications Centers, and Emergency Operations Center facilities. Projects of this type mandate prior comprehensive experience and a clear understanding of such issues as facility survivability and security.

Creating the appropriate team for a Public Safety project is a product of mutual respect for the local community and the complex needs of these specialized and complex facilities. In many respects, it is like a marriage in which each firm commits to the creation of a successful project…..a process that can span two or even three years, depending upon the complexity and magnitude of the project. So, think carefully about the benefits of teaming opportunities, and if the right project presents itself, team with a firm that you would enjoy working with and which will expand your horizons.

Architects Design Group – Fort Myers Open-House

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ADG celebrated four years of successfully serving clients in the Southwest Florida Region with an open-house at the firm’s office on 1518 Hendry Street in historic downtown Fort Myers.  Friends, colleagues and several past and present clients joined ADG staff for refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.   Since opening this ADG regional office, downtown Fort Myers has experienced a  refurbished central business district through historic building renovations and a streetscape program that has polished Fort Myers’ unique “Old – Florida” character.

ADG’s Fort Myers office has completed several projects for the nearby City of Cape Coral, including the recently dedicated 100,000 square foot Police Headquarters Facility.  Currently, ADG’s Fort Myers staff is working with the City of Fort Myers on the design of a new 30,000 square foot Fire Station / Fire Administration Headquarters.  This new facility known as Fire Station No. 1 is expected to break-ground in 2011.

Sunrise Public Safety Complex – Topping Off Event

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On Friday, February 19, the City of Sunrise, Florida celebrated the topping off of the new Public Safety Complex located in Sunrise. More than 120 people were in attendance including Architects Design Group, Stiles Construction, City of Sunrise elected officials, the City police and fire chiefs, and sub contractors. A “topping off” event occurs at the completion of the highest structural element on a building, in this case the roof top.  The roof and structure of the 92,000, five story, Public Safety Building was completed in early February and is composed of poured and pre-cast concrete structural elements.

 

The overall complex encompasses the Public Safety Building; a 15,000 square foot, single story Ancillary Building housing an 8 lane Firing Range and Law Enforcement Command Vehicle storage; and a two story, 18,000 square foot, 4 bay Fire Station.  The buildings provide all required functional areas for the 300 person staff.  This City facility is also housing critical infrastructure needs, including an Emergency Operations Center. 

 

The structures have been designed and are being constructed to provide for a secure, storm-hardened, state-of-the-art, technologically sophisticated center for Police and Fire Rescue Services.  Systems include 100% mechanical and electrical redundancy to all critical infrastructure components, ensuring that the facilities remain operational during and immediately after a natural disaster or man-made incident.

 

The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2011.