COLUMBIA, Md. (May 20, 2011) – Manekin Construction, LLC has completed construction of a new headquarters for the City of Bowie. The City has recently relocated to the new three-story, 80,000-square-foot facility at 15901 Excalibur Rd., near the Bowie Town Center. Since 1978, it had occupied a 39,500-square-foot facility on Kenhill Drive.

“To my colleagues who shared this vision and had the courage to make the difficult financial decisions to move this project forward, to the architects that converted our vision into shape and form, to the builder and the project team that converted our vision to brick and mortar, thank you all. You have done exceptionally well,” said G. Frederick Robinson, mayor of Bowie. “I am deeply impressed with the quality and professionalism of everyone who brought this beautiful building to completion.”

Space at the former City Hall location had been at a premium for some time, particularly since the creation of the Bowie Police Department in 2006. In 2008, Grimm + Parker Architects was chosen to design the building.  Manekin Construction, which has built several municipal facilities in the region, was selected as the general contractor, and ARCADIS provided overall project management support. Construction commenced in September 2009, and the total cost of the project is estimated at $22.6 million.

“The new building is larger and more efficient, and it is the first time in Bowie’s history that the City has occupied space designed for the purpose of running the government,” said John Fitzwater, assistant city manager for the City of Bowie. “It also was designed to accommodate future expansion of City services over the next 50 to 75 years.”

Located on a six-acre site with parking for 218 vehicles, the new City Hall comprises a structural steel frame with high-density block/brick veneer and glass exterior curtain wall system. With many green features – including a green roof, the facility is designed to achieve LEED Silver Rating.

A portal sundial greets visitors at the main entrance. With terrazzo floors, warm wood textures and views to the lake behind the building, the two–story, light-filled atrium lobby has a warm and friendly color scheme to complement the character of community. It also features a dramatic staircase, a mobile and a bridge connecting the two sides of the upper level.

Two stories are visible from the front of the building, and all three stories are visible from the rear. The Police Department is located on the lowest level. The second floor houses the Finance, Community Services and Personnel departments, as well as the City Council Chambers and a conference room. The third floor houses the City Manager’s Office, the Planning and Information Technology departments, and a training room that can double as the City’s Emergency Operations Center.

Manekin Construction previously built the Carroll County Health Department facility in Westminster, and the Harford County Public Schools Administration Building in Bel Air, which earned LEED Gold certification and the NAIOP Award of Excellence, Most Environmentally Friendly Green Building. It also provided interior construction of the Howard County Government Office Building in Columbia.

Headquartered in Columbia, Md., Manekin Construction, LLC offers a full array of construction services, including general contracting, construction management and design build for a variety of product types including technology, manufacturing, office, education, retail and distribution. For more information, visit www.manekinconstruction.com.