DMJM provided the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) with full architectural and engineering services under a five-year, indefinite quantity contract with the U.S. Department of Justice. The INS facilities in El Centro were obsolete and expansion requirements included several new structures, among them a new facility to house 400 agents. DMJM master-planned the new facilities, using a newly acquired 40-acre site in Imperial, California, to house the El Centro border patrol station, the El Centro sector headquarters, the vehicle maintenance building, and the sector maintenance/warehouse building. The first facility to be built was the 45,000–square foot border patrol station, completed in 2003. The administrative facilities within the station occupy 33,000 square feet and accommodate 288 border patrol agents. In addition to providing office and administrative space, the facilities include a gymnasium and large locker rooms for both male and female agents. The detention facilities comprise 12,000 square feet and house 130 short-term (10- to 12-hour) detainees. DMJM also designed the fire alarm system, and was responsible for total site and building electronic security, fencing, and locking. |
