If you’ve been around the City of Carlsbad for a while, you’ve likely heard of the idea of centralizing our maintenance and operations type functions into one location.
Well, the stars have finally aligned, and the project – now called the Orion Center – was approved last week by the City Council.
Locating similar and complementary functions at one site makes sense for all the usual reasons – sharing resources, increased collaboration, convenience. And, because the city owns the properties where these services are currently housed, we will be able to put the real estate freed up by the move to a higher and better use.
Where will it be located?
The Orion Center will be centrally located between the Safety Center and Fleet Maintenance, on Orion Way (hence the name).
When will it be done?
We’re shooting for summer 2021.
What will it be like?
The Orion Center will be a modern and eco-friendly building, including:
· Flexible workspace and warehouse space
· Room for a materials storage yard onsite
· A parking garage
· Secure property and crime evidence storage for the Police Department
· Solar power
· Electric vehicle charging stations
Who will work there?
Staff from the following divisions will work at the Orion Center:
· Utilities/CMWD (Public Works Department)
· General Services (Public Works Department)
· Construction Management & Inspection (Public Works Department)
· Parks Maintenance (Parks & Recreation Department)
Police Department staff will access the facility on a regular basis but not have offices on site.
What’s next?
Staff plans to return to the City Council in spring 2019 for authorization to seek a contractor to design and build the project.
This project will be a great step forward in modernizing our operations, enabling us to continue to provide the highest level of service to our community. Great job and kudos to everyone involved in making this project a reality!
Want to know more?