Coral Springs is getting ready for an ambitious $13.5 million project that involves renovation of the public safety complex and construction of a new fire station.

"The public safety building we now have is antiquated," Vice Mayor Vince Boccard said. "It was built before the changes to the South Florida Building Code. We would be in dire straits if we had to deal with a bad hurricane; we need the renovation. Our residents are very much in favor of the new project."

Construction is scheduled to begin in the first week of January 2009, Larry Staneart, director of development services, said. “It is a complex project, as the facility will not close during renovation. The contract allows 480 calendar days for all construction of the project, which would mean a final completion date of March 30, 2010. The new fire station-80 will officially open in April that year.”

The renovated public safety building will have a new emergency operating center, which will serve as the command center for northwest Broward County during emergencies, Staneart said. “The facility will be hardened to withstand hurricane winds up to 145 mph. The building will have a new two-story 10,000 square foot addition constructed on the west face of the building. The bond for the project is $13.5m. Cost of construction is $8,874,819.”

“We are using recycled building materials throughout the building,” Staneart said. “The building will have reflective roofing while day lighting will be provided in all occupied spaces. High efficiency air-conditioning systems will be used while native landscaping will eliminate the need for irrigation. The new fire station will be an official LEEDS-certified green building.”