Following completion of pre-design for a new State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) Headquarters in 2010 and subsequent explorations of potential sites, Wold Architects and Engineers was reselected by the State of Minnesota Designer Selection Board to update the pre-design and design the facility in 2021 during the peak of the pandemic and amid the 463 day activation of the existing State EOC.
Wold’s initial steps included revising the original space needs to reflect a leaner, reorganized HSEM operation, and the initially approved legislative project budget of $29.6 million, as well as evaluation of several sites near the intersection of I-35W and Lexington Avenue. The City of Blaine owned 21.75 acre site on Pheasant Ridge Drive was the best choice despite 17+ acres of the site being wetland.
Wold’s team used the wetland features as both a natural amenity for HSEM staff and State EOC participants to offer a respite with calming views during stressful trainings and activations, and as a natural vehicular and pedestrian barrier providing added security to the facility. The building’s stalwart presence elevated on a plinth above the wetland’s floodplain and clad in Minnesota limestone and metal conveys the importance and resiliency of the building to the citizens of Minnesota.