Project Title: Construct Headquarters Visitor Building (FFS #R6BB)

State: North Dakota

Project Description: A new headquarters and visitor center will be constructed at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Coleharbor, North Dakota, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funds for the design and construction of this facility will be obligated through a Region 6 Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) as a design/build contract. The total amount of funds available for this project is $6.1 million.

The Audubon NWR Headquarters and Visitor Center will be designed and built per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service standard facility design. The building includes an administration wing and a visitor contact wing with an airy lobby in between. A large basement is also included in the facility. The visitor contact wing includes an exhibit hall that will contain new exhibits focusing on the wildlife and habitat found at the Refuge, on the National Wildlife Refuge System, and more. A multipurpose room will provide classroom space for environmental education programs and space for large-sized meetings. A small bookstore will provide a place where visitors can purchase books and educational materials to supplement their visit to the Refuge.

A new headquarters and visitor center at Audubon NWR will provide a quality experience for visitors that come to the Refuge to learn about the wildlife that lives there. Students will have the opportunity to supplement their outdoor experience at the Refuge through hands-on lessons in the multipurpose room/classroom. The Refuge staff will be provided a safer working environment with office space that is much more functional and efficient.

This new headquarters and visitor center will replace the old headquarters and visitor center that is about 52 years old and has had four additions added to it over the years. As a result of age, the building has developed and exposed some serious health and safety problems, including asbestos, extensive rodent encroachment, water leakage, and mold. The old building will be demolished after the construction of the new headquarters and visitor center. The new building includes a 7,230 square foot administration wing, a 3,030 square foot visitor contact wing, and a 745 square foot lobby. A 6,330 square foot basement is also included in the facility. The visitor contact wing includes an 884 square foot exhibit hall and a 1,038 square foot multipurpose room. Building design will begin in June 2009. Construction is expected to begin in August 2009, and the building will be completed in September 2010. Overall completion of the entire project will occur in November 2010.

This building will be certified through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) process. The building will be constructed using sustainable design and energy conservation technology. Contract award for this project occurred on June 10, 2009. The project was awarded to Keplin/Gracon JV, located in Rolette, North Dakota. The exhibit design and fabrication contractor, Formations, Inc., is located in Portland, Oregon. They are a subcontractor to Keplin/Gracon JV.

Photos:

Aerial view before construction	The site for the new facility
Aerial view on September 24, 2009	Construction is progressing at the refuge
Aerial view on November 2, 2009	Marked progress has been made on the facility
Click to view more photos from the construction project!	Click to view photos from Secretary Salazar’s visit!

Click on the photo above to view a slideshow of the progress being made at Audubon NWR on FWS’s Recovery Act Flickr photostream!

Press Releases:
Secretary Salazar Announces $6.1 Million for Construction of New Visitor Center at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge

Originally posted 07/01/2009
Updated 09/17/2009
Updated 09/24/2009
Updated 12/01/2009
Updated 01/26/2010