Otter Tail County (MN) Ottertail Operations Center earns Silver LEED, Green Building of America Award distinctions

The Otter Tail County Ottertail Operations Center in Minnesota earned Silver LEED Certification as well as a Green Building of America Award. Silver LEED Certification is given only to buildings exemplifying excellence in sustainable building principals. From more than 2,500 nominated projects, the Otter Tail County Operations Center was selected for a Green Building of America Award. The Ottertail Operations Center will be featured in the next Real Estate & Construction Review – Midwest Green Success Stories edition. It’s being held up as an example of the owner, architect, consultants, and contractors working together to create a sustainable building in its region.

The Otter Tail County Ottertail Operations Center serves as a centrally located command post for the Sheriff’s Department, and an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for disaster recovery. The location in the City of Ottertail was selected to provide shorter call response times, and reduce miles driven for County vehicles. The facility was to be secure, and provide protection of the EOC to withstand an F-3 tornado. The challenge was to provide access to daylight in office areas while maintaining the necessary security. “The County saw this as an opportunity to demonstrate their concern for the environment and their commitment to provide citizens with a facility that would be extremely efficient,” stated David Shultz, owner of Shultz & Associates and the project architect.

The facility is constructed of precast concrete and masonry bearing walls, and precast concrete and steel roof construction. The building is heating and cooled with a hydronic heat pump systems with vertical geothermal loops. Heat recovery units provide for efficient tempering of incoming fresh air. The electrical system is backed up with an engine generator covering the load of the entire facility. Automated lighting controls (occupancy sensors) are used throughout the facility, along with daylight dimming in spaces with accessibility to glass.

Shultz & Associates, Ltd. of Fargo is the project architect. David Shultz, firm owner, is a LEED accredited professional. LEED is a national standard for designing and measuring ‘green’ building performance, which are buildings designed to conserve resources, provide healthy indoor environments, and minimize their impact on the environment. LEED Accredited Professionals demonstrate education and expertise in both the process and technical aspects of sustainable design. Shultz & Associates has also been recognized for their commitment to sustainable design with their work on the Otter Tail Country Government Services Center, and is currently working on another LEED project, a new facility for Lakeland Mental Health Center of Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

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