Creative Transformation of Former Maintenance Facility to Transit Police Headquarters

To solve this problem, the project team squeezed three floors into the original two sections of the building. The under-floor air distribution system on the second and third floors reduced the need for ducting and data cabling. Some vertical room was added to the 30 feet by pushing the top floor up until the existing trusses matched the tops of the door frames. This allowed an extra two feet of space for the floors below.

Another challenge was the compressed project schedule. With the lease in the police facility previously inhabited by DART expiring soon, the construction completion date for the project was expedited. To start construction early, the TRACK3 team split the project into three contracts: foundation, building structure and interiors.

“By using a divide-and-conquer approach and constructing the project in phases, we were able to save almost six months,” said Milton Richter, P.E., LAN’s senior associate and program manager.

Conclusion

In March 2011, the Monroe Shops was rebuilt, remodeled and transformed into DART’s police headquarters. To date, the project has received a number of awards, including the 2012 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award, the 2012 Preservation Texas Award,and the 2012 Regional Hispanic Contractors Association of North Texas Green Project of the Year Award, as well as recognition from the American Institute of Architects Justice Facility Review.

In addition to meeting DART Police Department’s requirements, the facility also has had a revitalizing effect on the neighborhood. According to the TRACK3 team, the new headquarters has improved the security for the residents in the community, increased the area’s property values and encouraged more development and investment. MT

Jay Srinivasan is a technical writer for LAN. This article was written in collaboration with Milton Richter, LAN’s senior associate and program manager.