The Prospect Center Project Overview

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Project Overview

This Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project is for the improvement and renovation of the “Prospect Center”, located at 585 Himes Avenue, in Frederick Maryland.  Formerly the home of United Health Group and State Farm Insurance, the Prospect Center is sited on a 25.95 acre parcel, with an existing structure that exceeds 200,000 square feet.

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Since April of 2022, Frederick County and design consultant Crabtree, Rohrbaugh, and Associates (CRA) have worked together to complete Space Study and Space Needs Assessments of various Frederick County agencies.  Upon identifying the different Frederick County Divisions that will occupy the Prospect Center, CRA has progressed to the design phase of this project.

Anticipated Prospect Center Occupants by Division:

· Aging & Independence (Scott Key Center)

· Emergency Management

· Family Services 

· Health Department (Development Center, Dental Program, School Health Services)

· Housing

· Human Resources

· Interagency Information Technologies (IIT)

· Public Works (Department of Facility Maintenance)

· Parks & Recreation - Office of Security, Office of Facility Services (Custodial)

Special and Unique Project Features

Emergency Response and Resiliency Hub

Portions of the Prospect Center are being Picture3designated to function as the primary Emergency Response and Resiliency Hub for Frederick County, Maryland.   Consultants, Mission Critical Partners and CRA, are working closely with the Division of Emergency Management to develop a modernized, “Next Generation” facility.  During renovation operations, portions of the existing building will have structural components upgraded to withstand severe weather events, along with other potential threats.

Microgrid

A unique feature of the Prospect Center project will be the construction of a microgrid.  A microgrid is defined as a local electrical grid with defined electrical boundaries, acting as a single and controllable entityPicture4.  For the Prospect Center, the Division of Energy and Environment has spearheaded an initiative to install a photovoltaic solar array with battery storage.  Consultants, Schneider Electric, American Microgrid Solutions, and CRA are working together to develop a first of its kind in Maryland, a microgrid system that will be used to support the Next Generation Emergency Response center and a Resiliency Hub.   Because of the megawatt capacity of the microgrid, additional portions of the Prospect Center will be supported by the microgrid.  This includes facility-wide lighting, and select Divisions and Departments that are essential during times of severe weather events or primary power service interruptions.