SR-203-001-05 (11)
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is not centralized. The facility lacks a sallyport for the safe and effective transfer of
inmates between secured vehicles and the jail. The existing inmate booking area is
undersized, outdated, and lacking in basic automated support systems.
The Northridge Earthquake highlighted the disadvantages of having the Fire
Department operate at locations away from City Hall, the Police Department and the
Emergency Operations Center. The coordination of emergency response activities is
less effective due to the physical separation of the functions. The current Santa
Monica Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operates from the basement of the
existing Police building and doubles as the Police Squad Room. When the EOC is
activated, the Police Department loses its only department-wide briefing room at a time
when its need is critical. The existing EOC not only lacks computerized support
systems necessary for automated emergency management, but also modern
communication, data and building support systems.
Initial Planninq for the New Public Safety Facilitv
Because of these deficiencies in the existing facilities, the City Council and community
recognized the need for the development of a new facility to house the Police
Department, Fire Administration and Emergency Operations Center. The Civic Center
Specific Plan (CCSP), which was approved by the voters in June 1994, calls for the
construction of a new public safety building. In August 1994, the City Council
authorized staff to begin interviewing firms to design the Santa Monica Public Safety
Facility and then in August 1995, the Council authorized a contract with Dworsky
Associates to begin preparation of schematic designs.
Schematic designs, preliminary floor plans, and an initial cost estimate were presented
to the City Council in June 1996 and the Council placed a bond measure on the
November 1996 ballot. The bond measure received 62.5 percent of the vote, yet
narrowly missed the two-thirds vote required for approval of a general obligation bond.
In January 1997, the Council ranked development of the Public Safety Facility as their
top priority and in February 1997, the Council approved a funding plan for the facility
that included the issuance of lease-revenue bonds.
The Santa Monica Public Safety Facility will be located immediately east of Santa
Monica City Hall. The approximately 118,OOO-square foot facility will serve as the
headquarters for the Police Department and will house the Fire Department=s
administrative offices, Fire Prevention services, and the City=s Emergency Operations
Center. The building will include a new City jail facility and state-of-the art dispatch
facilities which are coordinated between police and fire services. Included with the
Public Safety Facility project is the construction of Olympic Drive from Fourth Street to
Main Street.
The Public Safety Facility is designed to resolve the deficiencies associated with the
existing Police, Fire and EOC facilities, while using modern technology and sound
design principals to maximize the operational efficiency of the building. The new
facility will be constructed in accordance with the Essential Services Seismic Safety Act
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to help ensure that the building is able to withstand a major earthquake. The facilities
will provide for better coordination between Police and Fire services, will enable the 911
system and dispatch equipment to be located in one facility for all emergencies, will
enhance emergency response times by providing a direct link to Fourth Street and the
Interstate 10 on-ramp, will provide the community with a state-of-the-art facility to
respond to future disasters, and will facilitate better public access to Police and Fire
services.
The Public Safety Facility is designed to be 56 feet high with four stories above grade.
The Facility also will consist of two subterranean levels, including parking for official
vehicles. Upper-level step backs and compatible building materials provide a
consistent transition between City Hall and the new facility. The majority of the
building will be clad in a beige precast concrete with sandstone along the front (south)
elevation. The interior of the building will be highlighted by a two-story public lobby
that includes integration of the exterior sandstone and extensive use of natural light.
Michael Davis, the project architect, has also created two prominent art works for the
public lobby: one is a skylight that casts a blue line of light into different parts of the
lobby depending on the time of day and time of year; the second element involves light
walls that are sequenced to create a subtle transition of gradient light. The interior
also features a three-story atrium that provides extensive natural lighting into the center
of the building.
The public entrance is on the south side of the Facility, opening onto a public plaza and
fountain at Olympic Drive. Creating the public entrance and plaza along Olympic Drive
is designed to open the building toward the rest of the Civic Center area and provide
pedestrian access from adjacent uses and parking areas. Pedestrian access is
provided from Fourth Street through the plaza area and from Main Street via a wide
pedestrian promenade along Olympic Drive. The public plaza occurs on two levels.
The upper plaza is at grade with Fourth Street and features the upper element of the
water feature - a thin sheet of water flowing across a granite surface. Water cascades
from the upper plaza to a pool filled with aquatic plants in the lower plaza. The lower
plaza is at grade with Avenida Mazatlan and the public entrance to the facility.
PROJECT UPDATE
Since approval of the financing plan and authorization to proceed with detailed design
in late 1997, the project architects have prepared design development drawings and are
finalizing construction documents. An interdepartmental policy team, including the
Police, Fire, Environmental and Public Works Management, and Planning and
Community Development Departments and the City Manager=s Office has advised the
design team in their preparation of the detailed design documents.
The Public Safety Facility is planned to be a showcase of AGreen@ building design
measures. These measures are intended to minimize the impact of the building on
scarce natural resources. In concert with the initiation of the design development
phase of the project, the design team and City staff participated in a detailed process to
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review and consider a variety of environmentally sensitive measures to be incorporated
into the building design. The building is also designed to maximize the efficiency of
the Police and Fire operations within the facility.
Some of the most innovative and notable elements of the building include:
Underfloor Air Distribution System - This system provides for the distribution of
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning to work spaces from a raised floor. The
system is much more energy efficient than traditional ceiling air distribution
systems. Underfloor air distribution provides for improved indoor air quality
through better delivery of fresh air to building occupants and reduced likelihood
of contamination of ductwork. The system increases comfort levels for building
occupants through individual control of air flow and provides increased flexibility
in configuration of electrical and data conduit runs.
Gray Water - A dual plumbing system will allow recycled, treated storm drain
water (Agray water@) to be used in the building=s toilets and urinals, rather than
potable water. In addition, the public fountain and the landscape irrigation for
the building and Olympic Drive will use gray water.
Buildinq Commissioninq - Building Commissioning is a process to ensure that all
building systems operate as intended, designed and operationally required.
This process involves a systematic testing and review of the operational and
maintenance efficiencies of the building=s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life
safety, and energy management systems. This process not only helps ensure
that building=s systems meet the original building criteria, but it also helps
identify and resolve design and construction conflicts before they become
problems.
Emerqency Power - The building is designed to remain fully operational in the
event of an emergency that affects the energy supply by providing for two
1100 kW diesel-powered generators. Providing two separate generators allows
for partial power to the building in the event that one of the generators fails
during an emergency.
###Other sustainability and efficiency design elements which are incorporated into the
building include daylighting, high-efficiency lighting, lighting occupancy sensors, indirect
and direct ambient lighting with high-efficiency task-lighting, and an energy
management control system.
Excavation and utility relocation for the facility is underway. Completion of excavation
and the award of contract for building construction and sitework is anticipated for this
winter.
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