News

Every year, citizens look forward to the annual “Project of the Year” picks from the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). Civic buildings earn a coveted B.E.S.T. in Public Works title for their innovation, mobility, beautification, and overall creativity. This year, four facilities, under Griffin Structures, Inc. purview, scored top honors as they were recognized as facilities of the year.

1. Hesperia Police Department Headquarters (LEED Gold)

The 45,700 sq.ft. building is an element in the overall City Civic Center campus, and includes patrol areas, briefing, evidence storage, investigations services, office management and records, and other police facility components. “We are very proud of our new police station, and are honored that the APWA recognizes the value of this project,” said Mayor Russ Blewett. Designed by LPA, Inc, this Essential Service Facility, with a total project budget of $18.7 million, performs 17.8% better than California’s stringent Title 24 building requirements. and its neighbor, the Jerry Lewis High Desert San Bernardino County Government Center, is also LEED Gold certified.

2. County of San Bernardino High Desert Government Center (LEED Gold)

This 66,800-square-foot, two-story County office building is located within Hesperia’s Civic Plaza, and houses multiple county departments including the First District Board of Supervisor’s Office, Agriculture, Assessor, Recorder, Land Use, Fire, Human Resources, Environmental Services, Public Works, Registrar of Voters and Veterans Affairs. Built as an Essential Service Facility, the LPA, Inc. designed structure was seismically upgraded to withstand a catastrophic event, which was achieved using a very cost effective, tilt-up concrete construction method. This has since resulted in, arguably, the most economical building of its type within the region.

3. San Dimas City Hall, Civic Center Plaza & Community Center Renovation

The project, designed by Steven Gaffney Architecture, Inc., included a renovation of and expansion to the existing Civic Center. City Hall: 20,000 sq.ft. renovation and 11,000 sq.ft. expansion, including new administration offices, public service counter, and upgraded City Council Chambers, public and staff meeting rooms, and Lobby. Community Center: 8.000 sq.ft. renovation including upgrading bathrooms and kitchen, new finishes, all new mechanical and electrical systems, ADA access, and Title 24 compliance; and 4,000 sq.ft. addition of new community and multipurpose rooms, lobby and reception, offices, and storage. The civic center plaza was expanded, redesigned, and rebuilt to provide a completely new and more accessible event location and community gathering place.

4. Fullerton Library Renovation / Expansion (LEED Gold)

The project entailed an 8,000 sq.ft. expansion and renovation to the existing 50,000 sq.ft. library, designed and constructed to LEED Gold standards. The remodel and expansion of the Fullerton Public Library added a much needed community area, technology and teen services function, as well as an overall facelift to the 45 year old structure. The expansion is comprised of a large community meeting room, kitchen, café, and book store; while an expanded local history area, a new teen services area, and a technology center became part of the existing remodeled spaces. In addition, the finish materials, lighting, and furnishings were also enhanced throughout the facility. The exterior renovation of additional windows, new materials, and landscape work together to provide the building with a fresh and progressive image.

Photovoltaic panels are set to be installed in the library’s parking lot, which include a monitoring system where visitors can see the building’s power use, in real-time. “Kids and patrons will have an instant connection to the power being generated by the photovoltaics,” says Chris Williams, chief architect @ LPA. “It’s a great way to connect the users—the community—with what’s happening in their building … not only the architecture, but the sustainable design features as well.”

"We, as a company, are extremely proud of our project team's dedication to these projects and honored to be recognized by the APWA for such great accomplishments," said Roger Torriero, President & CEO of Griffin Structures, Inc. "The Project of the Year award is a distinction that we share with the competent and engaged agencies who create responsive and thought-out projects for their communities."

Congratulations, from Griffin Structures, to the cities of Hesperia, San Dimas, and Fullerton, and the county of San Bernardino for outstanding facilities!