The Adams County Board of Commissioners broke ground on Phase I of the new Adams County Government Center on Thursday, May 14, 2009. The 330,000 square foot, five-story facility will be located at 124th Avenue and Sable Boulevard in Brighton. The building will consolidate employees from 15 departments most accessed by county residents for “one-stop shopping”. Offices will include the Board of County Commissioners, Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, Community Development, County Attorney, Planning and Development, Public Works, Veterans Services and the Workforce and Business Center.Funding for the Adams County Government Center was made possible by county voters who extended a county sales tax in 2006. The one-half of one percent sales tax was extended for 20 years to fund critical transportation projects, the new Government Center, Justice Center expansion and a pre-trial holding facility.
“This is truly a momentous day as we begin a new chapter in the history of Adams County”, said Larry W. Pace, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. “The Government Center will be a great community asset to both the citizens and employees of our county for the next 100 years. Its many benefits include reducing operating costs, conserving county resources and allowing taxpayers and employees to conduct county business without traveling to numerous locations.”
The Adams County Government Center is a low-impact development following the site’s natural contours. Designed by Gensler to be both highly sustainable and eco-friendly, the building’s design maximizes natural light, fresh air ventilation and will use solar panels for heating.
“This has been a true project of collaboration with the county and the city of Brighton for the past several years,” says Ala Hanson, managing principal of Gensler’s office in Denver. “The Board of Commissioners had a strong vision of this project, looking toward the future with a nod to the past. Our design team focused on a simple building that engages the past with the future, the citizens with their government and the surrounding landscape with the built environment. It’s designed to last a century and serve the citizens in a welcoming, efficient manner.”
Gensler is providing a full range of services for the project, including urban planning, architecture, facilities programming, interior design, signage and branding for the center.
Norris Design created the master plan and designed the landscape for the Government Center. The team created a design that pays tribute to the agricultural heritage of the area. With an emphasis on sustainability, Norris Design developed a system that will allow the site and landscape to evolve over time. The site will feature native plant materials and consideration was given to supporting the area’s wildlife habitat.
“We are proud to be part of the most significant project under development in Colorado this year,” said John Norris, principal of Norris Design. “The Adams County Government Center will set the bar for future public projects relative to responsible land use and green building strategies.”
The builder for the project is Saunders Construction. Other team members include Civil Arts, Inc. civil engineering; Jirsa-Hedrick, structural engineering; McGrath, Inc., mechanical and plumbing engineering; Michael J. Hutchinson & Associates, electrical engineering; Shen Milson Wilke, acoustical consultant; and Architectural Energy Corporation, sustainability, building energy and day-lighting consultant.
The Government Center groundbreaking also marks the launch of Adams Crossings, a new mixed-use development which will be located at the convergence of Interstate 76, E-470, Sable Road and 120th Avenue. In addition to the county Government Center, the 780-acre site will feature up to two million square feet of commercial space, one million square feet of retail space, 2,500 multi-family homes, 750 single family homes and 100 acres of open space and trails. An estimated 22,000 people will live and work at this major employment center upon completion in the next 10 years. Adams Crossing’s developer is Woodhawk Development, which is jointly owned by Hawkins Development and the Woodbury Corporation. Carlson Parkhill is also a key investor in Adams Crossing.
“High-visibility development sites off both highways are being marketed to major grocers, large format retailers, hotels and commercial office users,” said Kevin Hawkins, managing partner of Woodhawk Development. “You can’t beat this location for these prospects. You can drive to Denver International Airport, I-25 or downtown Denver in less than 20 minutes.”
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