Roanoke County broke ground on Thursday, May 22 on a new Fleet Service Center, the first of six major capital projects that will be completed over the next several years. Located at the intersection of Hollins Road and Carlos Drive in northeast Roanoke County, the $7.7 million facility represents a cooperative agreement between Roanoke County and the Western Virginia Water Authority.

Press release is from www.roanokecountyva.gov.

Roanoke County has been servicing the Authority’s vehicles since its inception in 2004.
Combined, the two entities have over 800 vehicles and equipment. The growing fleet has
stretched the current facility in downtown Salem to its limit, and available space is well below
industry standards for a fleet of the size serviced by the County.

To address the need for space on a short term basis, the County rented a satellite facility
to help with overflow work, particularly routine maintenance and inspections on light vehicles.
The new Fleet Service Center will have eight light vehicle bays and four double heavy duty bays,
as well as storage for parts and tires, office space, a training room, and employee lounge area, for a total of 23,060 square feet.

The facility will be the County’s first LEED certified building, a designation assigned by
the U.S. Green Building Council for meeting national standards for environmentally sustainable
construction. The building includes various environmentally sensitive features. It is designed to
save water, electricity, and natural gas. The facility will feature a state-of-the-art storm water
detention area, including a bio-retention pond, which allows storm water to filter through it
before moving downstream at a slower rate.

The project is being funded through a combination of upfront capital contributions from
the County and the Water Authority, and bonds will be paid back through the rates charged to
user departments.

Fleet Services is part of the Roanoke County General Services Department. The A&E
firm is Spectrum Design, and Thor, Inc., will be constructing the facility. David Anderson, the
County’s Fleet Manager, and Jim Vodnik, Assistant Director of General Services, will be
managing the project. Completion is set for June 2009.