The County of San Mateo today celebrated the completion of its new $64.5 million Regional Operations Center (ROC), a state-of-the-art and seismically safe facility to house its Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Public Safety Communications which operates 9-1-1 dispatch, and a secure data center.
“This is a momentous occasion for the County and so important for public safety. In San Mateo County, our community will be safer because of this modern facility and the fact that now we have a unified command center,” said Supervisor Carole Groom, president of the Board of Supervisors. “One of this innovative building’s highlights is its ability to house folks with very stressful jobs into working conditions that are lighter and more relaxed.”
The ROC, located on the County Center campus across from the parking garage in Redwood City, is the largest project to date funded by Measure K, the countywide half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2012 (then known as Measure A) and extended in 2016. When the Board of Supervisors placed the measure on the ballot, a priority was repairing or replacing critical facilities. Construction began in 2016.
“This center is not only built to stand the test of time but also the test of natural and manmade disasters,” said County Manager Mike Callagy. “And it’s all possible because of Measure K dollars. So thank you to the voters as well as every individual, department and agency that helped bring this County priority to fruition.”
At a glance
· 37,000 square feet and standing two stories
· Stabilized by 354 columns sunk 40 feet into the ground for seismic stability
· Ability in an emergency to operate for up to seven days without PG&E-provided power or city-provided water
· Construction and landscaping that will be certified LEED Silver by the U.S. Green Building Council
· Relocation of Public Safety Communications which is currently located in the Hall of Justice basement
· Creation of a dedicated Emergency Operations Center for disaster response and recovery
· A small gym for employee wellness
· A lactation room, per County policy
· Increased meeting and flexible space for Human Resources training and other uses
Departments will move into the ROC over the next several months, beginning with Public Safety Communications in October followed by the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.
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