Frederick County in Maryland is embarking on an ambitious project to convert the Prospect Center into a state-of-the-art government office facility that will house multiple agencies, including a 911 call center and a data center. This transformation aims to provide a centralized location for essential government services and improve operational efficiency. The inclusion of a data center will support the county’s growing technological needs.
Purchase and Purpose of the Building
In a significant move, Frederick County acquired the Prospect Center for $20 million in 2021, recognizing its potential to become a vital asset for the government. The county’s plan is to accommodate several government agencies within the 209,000 square foot facility, ensuring better coordination and collaboration among departments. In addition to the government offices, the building will house a 911 call center, a data center, and a micro-grid, reinforcing the county’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
Retrofitting and Investments
To transform the Prospect Center into a modern government office facility, Frederick County is investing $30 million in a comprehensive retrofitting process. The county has already made significant progress by replacing the roof, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems, ensuring the safety and functionality of the building. These initial improvements lay the groundwork for the subsequent renovation and technological upgrades.
Design Process
As the project moves forward, the county is actively engaged in designing the data center, 911 call center, and micro-grid. Each component requires careful consideration due to its unique requirements and functionalities. The design process also takes into account factors such as scalability and future technology advancements to ensure a facility that meets the government’s evolving needs seamlessly.
Micro-Grid and Funding
A key feature of the transformed facility will be the micro-grid, which is expected to contribute approximately 72 percent of the building’s power usage. The county is actively seeking funding through various sources, such as the fiscal year 2022 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Homeland Security Appropriations, and state funding. This financial support is crucial to realizing the micro-grid’s potential and reducing the facility’s environmental footprint.
“Convey911” System
Frederick County recently announced the deployment of a new 911 system known as “Convey911.” This innovative system offers language interpretation capabilities for phone calls or text conversations and even includes automatic language detection. While the county is making strides in implementing this groundbreaking technology for emergency communication, it remains uncertain whether the Convey911 system will be integrated into the 911 data center being built at the Prospect Center.
Project Timeline
With an ambitious vision in mind, Frederick County aims to complete the transformation of the Prospect Center into a functional government office facility within the next 18 months to two years. This timeline allows for comprehensive renovations, complex technology installations, and meticulous planning to ensure a smooth transition for government agencies and their employees.
Architectural Development
Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, renowned architects with extensive experience in government facility development, have been entrusted with the task of realizing Frederick County’s vision for the transformed Prospect Center. With their expertise, the architects will ensure that the renovated building meets the functional and aesthetic demands of a modern government office facility.
Previous Use of Prospect Center
Prior to its transformation, the Prospect Center played a significant role in serving the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility served as a mass vaccination site, demonstrating its adaptability and responsiveness to local needs. This previous use highlights the building’s potential to serve an important role in times of crisis and reinforces the county’s commitment to community welfare.
The ambitious project to convert the Prospect Center into a government office facility with a data center in Frederick County, Maryland, demonstrates the county’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and providing essential services to its citizens. The comprehensive retrofitting process, investment in cutting-edge technologies like micro-grid, and the deployment of innovative systems like “Convey911” all contribute to a future-ready facility. As the project moves forward, Frederick County anticipates a centralized and technologically advanced government office that will enhance coordination, streamline operations, and support the evolving needs of its growing community.