Modernizing for the Future
A New Chapter for the Sanitary District of Decatur: Modernizing for the Future
Being over 100 years old is a pretty amazing milestone but getting here has taken careful planning and knowing when to adapt to serve the people of Macon County responsibly for that long. That’s why I’m excited about the future and a new project to modernize operations for The Sanitary District of Decatur (SDD) into the next century. After eight years of careful planning and analysis, we are ready to construct a state-of-the-art administrative building. This initiative will replace our century-old facility, bringing our staff under one roof, modernizing our laboratory, improving security, and enhancing access for both the public and our team. We will break ground later this year and are hopeful of being fully operational in October 2025.
While our current home has served us well since the early 1920s, it is simply too costly and inefficient to meet our mission as a fiscally responsible agency in the modern age.
The new facility will allow us to operate more efficiently in several ways and will feature a geothermal system to reduce heating and cooling costs. It has also been designed to accommodate future solar panel installations. The laboratory space will be flexible enough to allow for future upgrades with minimal disruption. The new facility will also feature additional locker space, a significant upgrade from the current setup, with restrooms and shower facilities that offer staff individual locking doors for privacy.
The all-in budget for this important project, including design, construction, and furnishing, is $19 million and will be funded by $11 million in existing funds and an $8 million loan to be repaid over 20 years, with Hickory Point Bank. Importantly, thanks to the District’s prudent financial planning, this project will not result in increased user fees or taxes.
The project will also provide a local economic boost with construction being led by locally based contractor Christy Foltz Construction and will include local subcontractors Bodine Electric, Bodine Communications, Burdick Plumbing and Heating, and Liaison Technology Group. This project is expected to employ over 160 workers during construction.
While we are excited about the future, it is important to look back at the journey of our current administration and laboratory facilities that began over a century ago.
In 1922, plans were completed for a modest two-story building with a total of 3,468 square feet. This facility included a coal room, an office, a 400-square-foot laboratory, storage space, a small locker room, and a two-bedroom apartment for the Superintendent. A 250-square-foot pump house was attached, providing fresh water to the building and the treatment plant.
Fast forward to 1972, when the first major renovation occurred. The building’s first floor was reconfigured to add office space, while the second-floor apartment was transformed into a conference room and library. The laboratory was expanded to 1,230 square feet, and the locker room was enlarged to accommodate 24 lockers.
In 1982, another 4,140 square feet were added with a two-level addition to the north side of the original building. This expansion introduced gender-specific locker rooms, additional office space, and storage areas, further accommodating our growing workforce.
A separate maintenance building was constructed in 1983, providing 3,351 square feet of space for maintenance staff, including locker rooms, a breakroom, and supervisor offices. In 2000, the electrical maintenance group outgrew the space they were in and moved into an unused process building that was not designed for continuous staff occupation. None of these spaces were ADA accessible, a barrier that makes access more difficult for employees with mobility limitations even if the limitations are temporary.
The last major addition came in 1990, adding 9,000 square feet and bringing the total space of the administration building to 20,836 square feet. The laboratory was moved and expanded once again, while the old lab space was converted into a multipurpose room. Accessibility was finally addressed with the elimination of stairs and the installation of an elevator. However, public and private spaces were intermingled making access to the Board Room confusing.
A New Vision for the Future
In 2018, we took a significant step toward planning for the future by engaging Forsyth-based Architectural Expressions (AEX) to conduct a multi-phase assessment of our facilities. This assessment aimed to determine whether continued renovation or a complete replacement was the best path forward.
The first phase was a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) conducted in 2019. The PCA found that while our buildings were generally well-maintained, they were aging, and compliance with modern accessibility standards was lacking. This assessment underscored the need for significant upgrades or a complete overhaul.
In 2021, a space needs analysis revealed that our current facilities were inefficient and no longer met the needs of our staff. Laboratory spaces were outdated, and many areas were non-ADA compliant. The study concluded that our facilities, though still well-maintained, were reaching the end of their life cycle, necessitating a more comprehensive solution.
In 2022, a pre-design study compared the costs and benefits of renovating our existing facilities versus constructing a new building. After careful consideration, the decision was made to pursue a new building, which would bring all departments together in a single, modern facility.
The design phase began in 2023, with AEX selected to design the overall building and Black & Veatch consulting on the laboratory space. The design process took a full year, resulting in a traditional yet efficient building equipped with cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology.
As we prepare to break ground on this new facility, we are excited about the benefits and efficiencies it will bring to the public and staff, while modernizing our operations, for years to come. This new building will not only meet our current needs but will also adapt to our future challenges, ensuring that the Sanitary District of Decatur remains at the forefront of environmental stewardship and operational excellence for the years to come.