Gilford served as General Contractor for the fast-track renovation of a vacant 5-story office building to create a new Police Training Academy for the Prince George’s County Police Department. This new facility serves as a center for learning and research for the 1,800-officer department. It also supports the Department’s goal of being a prevention-oriented and strategy-based police department and a leader in the science of policing throughout the region.
Work encompassed complete demolition of three floors and selective demolition on the other two (48,000 sf); installation of supplemental steel reinforcement to support aspects of the new build-out; installation of new communications and security infrastructure; significant upgrades to MEP and fire protection systems; and architectural build-out of classrooms and training areas, locker rooms, storage, offices, and other ancillary spaces. Of particular interest are the following:
- Judgment Enhancement Room: The space was built-out to enable presentation of various scenarios for interactive tactical training (i.e., robbery in progress, domestic situations, traffic stops, active shooter, etc.). Audio-Visual systems allow manipulation of the scenario based on the Officer’s actions to the events portrayed, with a critique or debrief conducted upon conclusion.
- Simunitions Room: Space with concrete block walls to enable realistic, interactive, and non-lethal tactical training using marking cartridges to simulate live ammunition.
- Mechanical Penthouse: Building openings were too small to accommodate the specified long-lead mechanical equipment. Gilford’s solution was to open a space in the penthouse brick wall, hoist the massive equipment into place (cooling tower, heat exchanger, air handling units, chilled water pumps, and commercial water heater), and subsequently repair the building wall. This solution enabled the project schedule to be maintained.
Gilford completed the project on time and to complete Owner satisfaction. Work valued in excess of $8 million was accomplished in just 3 ½ months in accordance with Owner requirements.
