Public Utilities Field Operations Center
Brunswick County
Providing utilities service to one of North Carolina’s fastest growing areas, the new Brunswick County Public Utilities Operations Center will better serve the explosion of growth and development in this coastal community.
The center will consolidate Public Utilities crews, equipment and supplies into one facility and support the county’s Water, Sewer and Instrumentation and Electronics departments. The 30,000 SF operations facility will provide office, shop and warehouse space; locker rooms; breakrooms and a multipurpose room for staff, training and meeting functions. Also, 18,000 SF of auxiliary space will provide parking, materials storage and sheltered storage for critical equipment.
Site development for the 9-acre site includes driveway and loading dock accesses, a 117-space parking area, water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sedimentation/erosion control and landscaping. Utility work involves approximately 860 LF of 2-inch- to 8-inch-diameter watermain and approximately 720 LF of 8-inch-diameter sanitary sewer. Rain garden bioretention areas will collect runoff from stormwater to reduce the amount of pollution and sedimentation that enters into the existing stream on the site.
This project addresses unique challenges presented by a coastal climate and narrow, flat site. A double-loaded vehicular circulation loop provides efficient functioning of space, while clerestory windows and other structures provide opportunities to bring in natural light. At the owner’s request, emergency generating power will support the entire building during threatening coastal weather, and rain gardens address stormwater runoff for the flat terrain.
