![\"Board](\"https:\/\/martinezgazette.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/county-building-featured.jpg\" "\\"Board")
<\/a>MARTINEZ, Calif. \u2013 The last piece of structural steel has been placed on the new Contra Costa County Administration Building.<\/p>\n
County officials marked that achievement Tuesday with a \u201ctopping out\u201d ceremony.<\/p>\n
Susan Shiu, the county\u2019s director of the Office of Communications and Media, called the topping-out \u201ca significant milestone for the project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Construction began in 2018 on the $60 million building, and it\u2019s on schedule to open by spring of 2020, she said in the county\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
When it\u2019s finished, the 71,000-square-foot administration building will incorporate many of the new sustainable construction approaches, according to the statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will allow Contra Costa County to better serve the community with a dynamic, welcoming space that is both efficient and distinctive,\u201d Shiu\u2019s statement said.<\/p>\n
The new building will replace the current high-rise building which has a look that many have compared to old cigarette dispensing machines. The new building has been designed to be more compatible with Martinez\u2019s downtown architecture.<\/p>\n
Despite the current building\u2019s dominating size, county employees have said it no longer meets the needs of a busy government operation.<\/p>\n
Some departments are divided among multiple floors. Restrooms aren\u2019t convenient, and climate control can be problematic. Space is at a premium and the older building doesn\u2019t accommodate ever-changing technological use.<\/p>\n
The new building has been designed to correct those shortcomings while incorporating features that complement, rather than interfere, with the ambiance of Martinez\u2019s downtown area officials have said in the past.<\/p>\n
Contractor Hensel Phelps, and Fentress Architects worked with county officials to design and build what Shiu\u2019s statement called \u201can efficient and community-friendly space for county residents and visitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new building will house office space for a variety of county departments, including a Board of Supervisors meeting chamber,\u201d her statement said.<\/p>\n
The project team are aiming for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification in building sustainability, the statement said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the four-story building\u2019s steel structure is expected manage both gravity loads and seismic forces efficiently among its interconnected columns and beams.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlacing the final steel beam on the new building today confirms the county\u2019s commitment to keeping this project on schedule and on budget,\u201d said Board Chairperson and Supervisor John Gioia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited to mark the milestone toward a new building that will make it easier for residents to access county services,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrength, flexibility and innovative design-build solutions, project administration and collaboration are keeping this key project on schedule to benefit the public the County serves,\u201d County Administrator David J. Twa said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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