The building is billed by county officials as a "people-friendly" complex and a major new landmark in downtown Fairfield. Local officials unveiled a plaque to officially dedicate the center which includes the new County Administration Center, Probation Office, adjacent parking structure and Co-generation Plant expansion that has already won the Center honors for renewable energy.
The six-story, $113.5 million Solano County Government Center opened for business in November, less than two years after groundbreaking in December of 2002. Three County government departments moved into the building that first weekend. Others will relocate from 17 different locations in Fairfield during eight separate moves until the new Government Center is fully occupied by the end of February.
Solano's new Government Center epitomizes smart growth, embracing many sustainable design / build development elements: extensive use of solar electricity, energy efficiency upgrades (technologies), and co-generation.
The project includes two solar electric power systems that total 340 kW of solar power. These solar arrays, furnished by PowerLight, will play a significant role reducing the Government Center's energy and operating costs. Combined with the expanded co-generation plant and extensive energy efficiencies completed in partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions, Solano County will generate the equivalent energy during the day to power over 3,000 homes.
The facility was designed by Johnson Fain, Los Angeles. Project managers were URS Corp., Sacramento. Design/builders on the project were Clark Design/Build of Oakland. Fourteen County Departments will relocate to the new Government Center, providing a wide range of public services. The project was financed through sale of County real property, County cash, available road funds, and the City of Fairfield.
