City of Columbus Sewer Maintenance Operations Center (SMOC)

The Department of Public Utilities renovated and expanded its Sewer Maintenance Operations Center (SMOC) to include a new laboratory and office space for its Division of Sewerage and Drainage. The department outgrew its existing facility and needed additional room for staff and operations.

H.R. Gray provided constructability review and scheduling services to the City prior to construction and provided construction management services for this $13 million project, which included the renovation of more than 60,000 square feet at the existing facility. H.R. Gray provided on site construction management, scheduling, and project coordination services on this multi-phased project.

This facility houses the sewer maintenance operations section of the Division and also has indoor storage and mechanical service areas for the vehicle fleet. The Division’s General Engineering Section, Surveillance Laboratory, and Maintenance Management sections occupy the removed spaces.

There were many challenges related to this project. For example, the 24/7 police operations center was located in this facility so all utilities had to remain uninterrupted and work that is typically noisy or dusty had to be scheduled in the "slower" hours to be sensitive to the employees and ongoing operations. Also, the relocation and establishment of lab operations was a major challenge. Centrally located in the facility, the new lab area is surrounded by offices and employees. The lab, used to test sewer samples, is a highly sensitive environment with special considerations needed for ventilation and electrical systems. Lab protocols for air handling and isolation systems needed to be maintained.

Despite the many challenges, the H.R. Gray management team was able to complete this project on time and on budget.

 

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