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The Town of Jupiter engaged the design team led by Song + Associates to realize the shared vision for the Town’s Municipal Complex as a true Town Center and the civic heart of this outstanding coastal community. It is a vision that celebrates the community’s history and the Jupiter lifestyle established by its early pioneers and continued today by its proud residents and committed business owners. After design workshops and stakeholder participation, the master plan was approved by council in 2017 and includes a new Police Department, new Town Hall, and expansion of the existing Community Center to add gymnasiums and public multi-purpose space to the campus. These projects each contribute to establish an inviting sense of place, iconic to the Town of Jupiter, that fosters civic involvement and pride.
The Town had the insight to choose the Police Building as the first element to be constructed recognizing the importance of effective public safety.
The prior police department building had significant weaknesses in its structure making it vulnerable to hurricane damage. The police were required to vacate their building for each storm event and to move and secure critical computer systems and stored evidence for protection. The aging facilities were inefficient and did not support today’s standards in community policing operations. The new facilities include a new crime lab, improved evidence storage and processing, and cybercrime investigation facilities. One of the major struggles of police departments today is ensuring officer retention and providing for the mental and physical well-being of the officers. The project includes state-of-the-art training simulators for driving and active shooter scenarios as well as fitness and physical training space.
A community meeting room provides a place for engagement with the public for education about crime prevention and resources in times of community strife. The building was designed in a coastal vernacular style with its entry situated to face the community center creating a welcoming, hometown feel. The design intent was to avoid an institutional feeling and provide an atmosphere that supports engagement with the police for all ages and groups and, most importantly, comfort to crime victims. Completing the central plaza of the campus, a Veteran’s Memorial honors each branch of the military service with colored glass plinths and benches for quiet contemplation. A fallen officer monument is also being planned.
The building also serves as the Town’s Emergency Operations Center and houses the central Information Technology Data Center for the Police and Town Hall. This hardened facility is designed for continuous operations allowing Police and Town staff to occupy the building throughout storm events. Full generator capacity and redundancy of systems ensures the Town and Public Safety services to residents are uninterrupted from this critical facility.
Within the warm and welcoming coastal design, the building structure and systems were designed to Code+, 192 mph storm hardening. With innovative roof detailing and building systems, the Town was able to obtain over $1 million in grant funds toward the construction for hardening.
The building sets the tone for the entire civic campus and stands as a benchmark for future development, reflecting the Town’s commitment to the economic, environmental, cultural, and educational needs of the community. The next phase of the master plan, a new Town Hall, also designed by Song + Associates, is currently under construction.
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