The new Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pa., debuted in late 2015 as the region’s primary public safety facility. The 54,000-square-foot complex contains 45,000 square-feet of 24-7 State Police patrol operations and 9-5 administrative space, supported by a 9,000-square-foot, five-bay municipal maintenance garage. The $16.8 million project replaced a 50-year-old building with a modern, sustainable, and efficient facility on the same site. Its colorful glass façade belies solidity, strength, and significant security features in the high-performing building envelope.
Long-Term Partnership
The Pennsylvania State Police design and construction process for a new public safety facility takes on average about 10 years from programming to move-in. The police facilities team develops a generic building footprint and asks an architect to expand or enhance this initial concept. State Police Representative Larry Gallagher admits the lengthy process often presents difficulties as focuses, programmatic complements, and technology changes, but is necessary to accommodate a multitude of security requirements. As such, it is important to select an architect with foresight and public safety experience.