The project included identifying the space needs and functional requirements for the relocation of the functions to a new facility. The scope of this project included documenting the design criteria and space requirements, developing site selection criteria, identifying and evaluating alternative sites, and recommending a selected site, developing alternative site and facility layouts, estimating the construction cost of the selected alternative, and identifying, evaluating, and recommending financing alternatives.

The Hobbs+Black team approached the project by involving a group of City employees who work at the affected facilities. Throughout the project the Hobbs+Black team acted as facilitator, and together the team identified the specific needs of the buildings and then proceeded to successfully complete the development of the schematic design and the final construction documents. The new facility is located on a 46-acre former landfill off Stone School Road in Pittsfield Township.

The facility contains a 36,493 square foot Operations Building that houses offices and shop areas, a 35,921 square foot maintenance building dedicated to vehicle repair, and a 54,406 square foot vehicle storage building for vehicle parking and equipment storage. The site also includes ancillary support services including a fueling station, truck wash, storage bunker, parking and storage canopy, and a salt dome.

The project incorporates many “green” elements of sustainable design into the building, including an organic green roof which serves to improve water quality by retaining and filtering rainwater. Green roofs provide vegetation which uses friction and root absorbtion to slow the water down. Foliage collects dust and transpires moisture while simultaneously providing shade. Additionally, potential pollutants are trapped in the organic matter in the roof top soil, drastically reducing the facility’s pollution.