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Wakefield Public Safety Building Renovation and Upgrades

Front of Wakefield Public Safety Building. USA and State flag poles in front of brick and masonry facade. Existing conditions.
Front of Wakefield Public Safety Building. USA and State flag poles in front of brick and masonry facade. Existing conditions.
Back of Wakefield Public Safety Building. Back facade showing the entry bays for emergency vehicles. Existing Conditions.

SITUATION:

In the short two decades since the Town’s shared Police and Fire Department facility was built and integrated with a 1950s police administration building, policing has changed dramatically. To meet the needs of a modern police force and better serve the public, Wakefield and HKT Architects – guided by substantial input from the Wakefield Police Department – embarked on a feasibility study which led to a renovation and an expansion plan. After a successful Town vote to address critical building deficiencies, BOND Building was engaged to provide preconstruction and construction management services for the phased and occupied renovation and addition. A three-story addition will add needed square footage and renovations to several areas within the police station will relocate and reconfigure the main lobby. Upgrades to the building’s aging mechanical systems and a small addition to the rear sally port are also planned. The improvements will enhance the department’s operational collaboration, provide appropriate equipment storage, and increase safety for both police officers and the general public.

CHALLENGES:

  • Meet market challenges but still achieve budget and schedule requirements for a March 2023 final phase occupancy date
  • Construct while public safety departments remain operational
  • Build within an extremely limited site area while maintaining public access to and parking for the building and neighboring downtown area

SOLUTIONS:

  • Assemble pricing and bid packages early
  • Carefully plan and communicate phased construction sequence and shutdowns so that police staff can remain in the Public Safety Building
  • Do not infringe on roadways and existing parking spaces
  • Avoid potential disruption to IT closets used for critical 911 call center and communication equipment so there are no interruptions service during re-wiring

RESULTS:

  • Produce early bid packages to lock in rising prices in a dynamic market while also allowing enough time to obtain long-lead items to be procured
  • Thoroughly plan, solidly communicate, and consistently monitor noise and vibration to minimize disruption to the crucial police and fire safety operations
  • Maintain parking for the Police Department and public through logistics planning