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.

March 2011 Project Update: The construction of the Office and Visitor Center at Audubon National Wildlife Refuge was completed in August 2010. The building earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. To earn its LEED certification, the building met a long list of standards for energy conservation, renewable energy production, water efficiency, the use of recycled materials, and indoor environmental quality and control.

In addition, this project resulted in employment opportunities for over 100 people through various subcontractors. A total of 57 different subcontractors and vendors contributed to the project. An average of 9.3 jobs per quarter were either created or saved due to this project.

Photos:

Aerial view on September 24, 2009	Aerial view on November 2, 2009
Marked progress has been made on the facility at Audubon NWR	The Audubon NWR Headquarters and Visitor Center is taking shape!
Click to view more photos from the construction project!	Click to view photos from Secretary Salazar’s visit!

Feature Story: Secretary Salazar Gets Up-close Look at the Recovery Act in Action

Press Release: 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
Updated 04/08/2010
Updated 08/12/2010
Page Completed 03/21/2011