110,000 square-foot project will include specialized laboratories and high-security evidence room
DALLAS - November 14, 2007 - McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com), a Texas builder since 1980, has begun construction on the Dallas County Institute for Forensic Science. The $44-million-dollar, 110,000-square-foot project will replace an existing forensic facility and will include a three-story forensics laboratory, a two-story administration area and a one-story autopsy and morgue facility. This is McCarthy's second project for Dallas County. McCarthy is currently working on the new $61.7 million Dallas County Detention Center South Tower.
The new Dallas County Institute for Forensic Science will combine a family environment for visitors with enhanced security for emergency operations and top-of-the-line teaching and conference capabilities. The masonry and brick veneer complex is conveniently located along Stemmons Freeway south of Motor Street.
Approximately 120 employees will be housed in the new Institute for Forensic Science, which will feature leading edge forensic and laboratory design. The collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence will take place on all three floors of the forensic laboratory. Case preparing and evidence review will take place mostly on the first floor of the building, which features classrooms and conference facilities. Also on the first floor, ammunition and weapons will be tested. Drug analysis, toxicology and DNA Instruments labs will all be on the third floor of the forensics laboratory.
"This is a very complex and challenging building and McCarthy brings the necessary skills and experience to this project to ensure its success," said Dan Savage, assistant administrator for operations for Dallas County.
This will be an exciting project for McCarthy because of the specialized nature of the facility. Special attention must be paid to the furnishing and installation of the lab equipment. Other challenges include the coordination of the intricate mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems (MEP).
"We are very proud that we were selected to build another project for Dallas County," said James Leppo, Project Director for McCarthy's Texas Division. "This forensic sciences facility contains many technically sophisticated systems and equipment which require extra care and planning during the construction process," continued Leppo. "The project is equivalent to the facilities seen on CSI Miami and CSI Las Vegas. It is already being referred to as 'CSI Dallas'."
Construction on the Institute for Forensic Science began in June and is expected to conclude in spring 2009. The project architect is Dallas-based HKS, Inc.
About McCarthy
Celebrating nearly 30 years of building in Texas, McCarthy is the nation's 11th largest general contractor (Engineering News-Record, May 2006) and continually strives to be America's Best Building. An employee owned company, McCarthy provides more than the full range of general contracting, construction management and design/build services. With each employee holding a personal and financial stake in the company's future, truth and integrity are as fundamental as the bricks and mortar in their buildings and their binding commitments run deeper than the contractual obligations. In addition to Dallas, McCarthy has offices in Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego and Newport Beach, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; St. Louis and Atlanta. For more information please visit www.mccarthy.com.