This innovative project will move Somerville’s Police, Fire, EMS, and Emergency Management Departments from their outdated buildings into one shared facility to more efficiently and effectively serve the public. Somerset County is also a potential partner on the project and will be moving 911 operations into the facility.
Contact:
Colin Driver, Somerville Director of Economic Development
B: 908-369-3241
New facility to provide faster response times, greater efficiency, and increased capacity to serve public safety needs
Somerville Borough kicked off the design process for the long-awaited emergency services complex which will enable the Borough to better serve and protect its residents. The innovative project will move Somerville’s Police, Fire, EMS, and Emergency Management Departments from their outdated buildings into one shared facility to more efficiently and effectively serve the public. Somerset County is also a potential partner on the project and will be moving 911 operations into the facility.
In December, Somerville Borough Council adopted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designating FD Stonewater LLC as the developer for the emergency services project, allowing commencement of the initial design process along with exploring initial pricing for the facility. All facets of the project will be overseen by FD Stonewater making the developer responsible for completing the full design, construction and financing of the project. FD Stonewater has developed and managed similar projects throughout the United States for federal, state, and local governments. The FD Stonewater team includes design architects, SmithGroup, and civil engineering firm Kimley Horne. Harvey Cleary will be the General Contractor for the project.
As part of the initial design process, FD Stonewater and SmithGroup led a pair of interactive two-day workshops in February and early March with key emergency services personnel in order to gather information about their vision for the project. Personnel from all five departments engaged with members of the project team and their feedback will be included in the concept plan.
“Collaboration is at the heart of the design process. Spending time with stakeholders, asking the right questions, fostering intelligent discussion and listening closely are all keys to ensuring that we capture the appropriate vision and to convert that into something tangible,” said Claiborne Williams, Partner at FD Stonewater.
In conjunction with the design workshops, the entire project team toured each of the existing facilities to better understand current operations and to identify opportunities to enhance those spaces, Faster response times, greater efficiency, were common goals among all the departments in discussing the new facility. Ensuring the complex can meet the diverse needs of the community, now and for decades to come, is also a collective priority.
“Public health and safety are local government’s top priority. Somerville’s new Emergency Services Complex will ensure a safe community for all who work here, visit here, and most importantly, live here.”
Dennis Sullivan, Mayor, Borough of Somerville
“The Somerville Office of Emergency Management is proud to collaborate with our partners in law enforcement, EMS and fire to design a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the members of these vital services, as well as the residents and visitors of Somerville for decades to come. The success of Somerville as a destination community makes us the most active municipality in Somerset County. Our Borough Council has stepped up and this complex will accomplish this important task and more.”
Steve Weinman, MSc, RN, CEN, TCRN, NHDP-BC, TR-C, EMT
Municipal Coordinator, Office of Emergency Management
Borough of Somerville
“The complex will provide a more effective and efficient operation for today, while preparing for the future of the boroughs fire department.”
Brian Iselin
Fire Chief, Borough of Somerville
“The building we are currently occupying is inadequate for Police Operations. This new facility will increase the efficiency and operational capabilities of the Police Department well into the future.”
Dennis Manning
Police Chief, Borough of Somerville
“The new combined emergency complex will be the largest and most important project taken on by the Borough Council in our lifetime. The police, fire and crisis center complex is envisioned to meet all the Borough’s emergency needs for generations to come. It is an investment in Somerville’s future.”
Granville Brady
Councilman, Borough of Somerville
“Somerville Rescue Squad and its members are excited about this project, not only for the department and what it means to them, but also what it represents for the community and the benefits it will provide to deserving agencies and residents.”
Michael Lapotasky
Chief, EMS/Rescue
Regular updates on the status of the project will be posted on the Borough’s website at www.somervillenj.org.
About the Somerville Emergency Services Facility Project Team
FD Stonewater is a boutique real estate brokerage, investment, development and asset management firm with national capabilities delivered through entrepreneurial and thoughtful leadership. For more information, visit fdstonewater.com.
SmithGroup is an international architectural, engineering and planning firm that understands what makes each region unique and have people who “get it.” For more information, visit smithgroup.com.
Harvey | Harvey-Cleary is a full-service general contractor with a mission of creating spaces where great things happen. For more information, visit harveycleary.com.
Kimley-Horn is a civil engineering firm that combines creative yet practical design and planning solutions with a focus on bottom line value. For more information, visit kimley-horn.com.
