GSA,
NOAA AND OPUS BREAK GROUND FOR NOAA CENTER FOR WEATHER AND CLIMATE PREDICTION
New Facility to be Centerpiece of the University of Maryland's M-Square
Research and Technology Park
March
13, 2006 � The U.S. General Services Administration, in partnership
with NOAA and Opus East, L.L.C., broke ground today for the NOAA Center
for Weather and Climate Prediction, the crown jewel in a new 50-acre
section of the University of Maryland's M-Square Research and Technology
Park. Opus East, L.L.C., of Rockville, Md., working with Hellmuth, Obata
+ Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK) as the lead
design and interior architect, will design, construct and own the building
and lease it to the GSA. Opus arranged a long-term ground lease with
the University of Maryland for the
development. The 268,762 square-foot office and research complex will
become the new home for NOAA’s Satellite
and Information Service, Air
Resources Laboratory and the National
Centers for Environmental Prediction, an office of the National
Weather Service. Approximately 800 people will work in the facility.
(Click NOAA image for larger view of artist’s rendering
of NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction. Click
here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)
Ann
Everett, acting administrator for GSA's National Capital Region
said, "By locating this facility adjacent to the University of
Maryland, GSA enhances NOAA's ability to develop closer collaboration
between its scientists and forecasters, and the faculty and students
at the University of Maryland. This benefits NOAA, the University and
the American people."
Virtually
all the meteorological data collected globally will arrive at NOAA's
Center for Weather and Climate Prediction. Environmental scientists
will analyze this information and generate a wide variety of atmospheric
and oceanic forecasts and guidance products using sophisticated numerical
weather and climate prediction models. "Our vision is clear: To
create a new state-of-the-art facility for NOAA employees that enhances
our ability to understand and meet global atmospheric challenges of
today. Our goal is to create synergy with the research and academic
community that will accelerate new science and technology into operations,
improve forecast performance and result in better service to the American
public," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad
C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans
and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. (Click NOAA image for
larger view of NOAA Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher joining assembled
dignitaries at the ground breaking of the NOAA Center for Weather and
Climate Prediction. Click
here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)
"With the groundbreaking for this new $50 million facility here
in College Park, we are continuing to ensure that our nation's top scientists,
researchers and other professionals have the state-of-the art facilities
and tools to match their talents so that they can continue to perform
NOAA's vital mission," said Senator Paul
S. Sarbanes. "We take great pride in having NOAA located here
in Maryland and in the men and women who will work here continuing to
contribute to the well-being and the protection of our natural resources."
"I'm
so proud of NOAA and the Weather Service—they work every day to
save lives and livelihoods," said Senator
Barbara A. Mikulski. "I know that NOAA's employees—the
researchers, scientists, weather forecasters and satellite experts—are
world class, cream of the crop. They deserve a world class work environment."
"This
is a significant milestone towards completion of the new NOAA Center
for Weather and Climate Prediction, which will be a state-of-the-art
advanced weather operations and research facility," said Congressman
Steny H. Hoyer. "This critical project will not only vastly
improve our nation's weather systems and be much better suited to meet
NOAA's needs, but it will also ensure that our region remains an attractive
destination and home for the best and brightest minds."
"Opus
is honored to work with GSA and NOAA to design and build this world-class
facility that will anchor Maryland's research and technology core,"
said James J. Lee, president and CEO of Opus East, L.L.C. "The
new facility will benefit our nation by enhancing the ability of NOAA
employees to monitor critical oceanic and environmental activities."
This structure has been designed to provide a state-of-the-art facility
that reflects NOAA's mission "to understand and predict changes
in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine
resources to meet our nation's economic, social and environmental needs."
It includes features that demonstrate environmental sensitivities, such
as its "green roof" and rainwater waterfall, and both the
site and building design will achieve the U.S. Green Building Council
LEED Silver Certification. An employee-friendly building that brings
the natural settings into everyone's office will be equally inviting
to visitors. The facility will be completed in late fall 2007, with
full occupancy in February 2008.
NOAA, an
agency of the U.S. Department of
Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national
safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related
events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal
and marine resources.
Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS),
NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to
develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet
it observes.
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Climate Prediction Center
NOAA
Satellite and Information Service
NOAA
Air Resources Laboratory
NOAA
National Centers for Environmental Prediction
Media
Contact:
Carmeyia Gillis, NOAA
Climate Prediction Center, (301) 763-8000 ext. 7163
(Photo courtesy of Jeff Donald, NOAA Public Affairs.)
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