Experience // Government

The TowerPinkster and HOK design included the renovation of the most recent 1970’s addition to create three, 64-bed dormitories, and the addition of a new direct supervision replacement facility. This created 320-beds and features a 96-bed classification unit located between the existing jail and the Sheriff’s administration building. Careful site planning improved accessibility to the existing support service areas, such as the kitchen, laundry, and health clinic.

The TowerPinkster and HOK team created a master plan and design to accommodate 800 inmates through 2032. The project included a 112-bed addition to inmate housing and a new intake, transfer and release center with holding and detox cells, book-in stations, medical exam and interview rooms, and vehicle sallyport. In addition, the 14A District Court project included three court sets, each consisting of judge’s chambers and a courtroom with a shared jury deliberation area, court administration support space, multi-purpose jury assembly, and public meeting rooms, and office suites for public defenders and prosecutor’s office. LEED Certification: LEED Silver

TowerPinkster teamed with Architectural Alliance to redesign Concourses A and B to meet the needs of GFIA. Concourse A features a new, second floor with food service and two additional gates. The main floor features an open concession and retail area. Concourse B received a 2-story addition with the lower-level containing operational and administrative areas for the airport. The second level also features two additional gates.

TowerPinkster teamed with HOK on the design of this new facility which features a mix of direct and indirect supervision pods with a capacity of 250-beds. The intake, transfer, and release component includes holding and detox cells, together with book-in stations, medical screening areas, interview rooms, and vehicle sallyport capable of supporting the future 400-bed capacity. The new jail also increases efficiencies by providing video visitation for inmates and visitors. A geothermal system was incorporated into the design and is projected to reduce energy consumption by about 30%.

A study revealed that combining the existing East Lansing and City of Lansing 9-1-1 Dispatch Centers into a single consolidated facility would improve efficiency and streamline operations. With a site already selected, preliminary space planning efforts had projected the new building at 16,000 square feet, but after completing a detailed needs assessment and space programming exercises, TowerPinkster determined a new building footprint of 11,400 square feet would sufficiently house all necessary operations.

TowerPinkster’s task was to improve space utilization, accessibility and security and to accommodate jail expansion. The resulting addition physically links the jail to the county building. All operations of the District Court moved to the new facility, and the vacated space was renovated to address future growth of remaining agencies and departments. Finally, a 40-bed addition to the jail along with Intake areas served the Sheriff Department’s needs.

TowerPinkster’s master plan resulted in the design of a new Community Mental Health facility that would consolidate all of the associated departments into one building. The facility features one central reception area that serves all departments and allows for a separation of public and administrative spaces. The new facility is more efficient, reducing total square footage by 10,000 SF.

TowerPinkster’s design included a 38,000 SF addition and the complete remodeling of the existing administration offices. The facility houses administration, records management, investigative (detectives, narcotics and vice) road patrol, scientific support, community services, emergency management, evidence storage, accounting, and training. Its state-of-the-art training center features a unique 360-degree live fire “shot house” where law enforcement officers can prepare for real-life scenarios.

The newly installed roofing system at the City Hall in Kalamazoo is based on LiveRoof green roof modules which contain pre-vegetation sedums and other engineered soils that lay directly onto a root barrier. The roof is entirely vegetative and has not only alleviated the facility’s leaking problem but is more environmentally friendly and provides a pleasant view for fourth-floor offices.

With goals to enhance citizen access for programs and services, increase safety and security and reduce maintenance costs, Kalamazoo County’s Facilities Master Plan identified opportunities to relocate several departments into County-owned facilities. With a program based on efficiency, the Healy Street Center features a video visitation component, and the combination of the Office of Community Corrections, as well as the State Probation and Parole Departments into a single location.

TowerPinkster, in partnership with HOK, completed site selection evaluations, space program analysis and the design of a 13-story building to house Kent County and City of Grand Rapids Courts. Twenty new courtrooms were added, as well as six hearing rooms, judicial chambers, secure detention areas, administrative floors, restricted below-grade parking, and space for expansion. Additional considerations included state-of-the-art active and passive security design and courtroom technology.

Kalamazoo County decided to proactively plan for the future of its facilities and operations. As a major component of this effort, a long-range master plan was developed for various county facilities that embody the ideas of improved service to its citizens while reducing operating costs and offering guidance for capital expenditure planning.

Barry County aimed to make services safer and more accessible to residents, users, and County workers in their existing facilities. The County was in need of a Facilities Master Plan that reflected these initiatives while maximizing the use of existing buildings and respecting the historic nature of the existing facilities. TowerPinkster conducted in-depth facility assessments and met with various stakeholders and community leaders to gain an understanding of opportunities and challenges of the existing facilities.

To create space for the expanding administration, law enforcement, and fire departments, Emmett Charter Township turned to TowerPinkster to develop design concepts for a new Public Safety headquarters and satellite facility.