Building History and Use
Olmsted County’s Public Safety building has a long history of evolving to meet the county’s needs. The original structure on 3rd Avenue was built in 1950 and served for decades as a space for emergency management training. In 1999, the County invested $6.2 million in project improvements, and by 2012, an upgraded facility had opened.
By the late 2010s, those improvements were no longer enough. Staff lacked adequate office and meeting space, the building could not accommodate modern training programs, and administrative operations were outgrowing the footprint. In 2019, the County Board approved plans for a new facility, and by 2022 funding was secured to build a next-generation headquarters that would bring all public safety and emergency management functions under one roof.
Site selection prioritized proximity to the Regional Public Safety Center and operational security within a perimeter, though the location required new water and sewer connections to serve it. By November 2024, the County had officially moved into the new space, enjoying a fully functional, energy-efficient facility supporting emergency management, law enforcement training, and community engagement. Today, the building houses about 10 full-time staff and includes classrooms, offices, a storm shelter, a matted gym for defense tactics, subdividable meeting rooms, and dedicated storage for sensitive materials including chemicals, ammunition, and official documents.
Why Geothermal?
The County’s decision to pursue a new HVAC system was grounded in both functionality and sustainability. With the original facility lacking modern systems and usable space, county leaders saw an opportunity to align the project with Olmsted’s broader Climate Action and Energy Plan, which calls for electrifying buildings, improving energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions across county operations.
Engineers evaluated multiple mechanical systems, including conventional boilers and chillers, before concluding that geothermal best supported long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness goals. IRA financial incentives made the geothermal option practical for taxpayers, and Darcy’s compact, aquifer-based approach addressed the fact that the facility’s secure, high-traffic environment had limited tolerance for site disruption during installation.
This project also reflects Olmsted County’s growing familiarity and confidence with geothermal technology. The nearby Public Works Service Center, completed around the same time, uses a Darcy geothermal system as well, and the County is already planning additional geothermal projects informed by lessons from both installations.
Design and Construction
The design team collaborated across departments to create a building that balanced training requirements, office functionality, and system efficiency. The geothermal solution provides consistent temperature and humidity control throughout the facility, meeting a requirement that spans widely different use cases from high-activity physical training spaces to climate-sensitive evidence and materials storage.
The overall construction process ran smoothly, though early commissioning surfaced some control and mechanical issues. A small number of valves were installed incorrectly, and humidity inconsistencies emerged in some storage areas early on. Darcy worked closely with Johnson Controls and local engineers to diagnose and fine-tune the system. “Once the engineers and system technicians understood the unique demands of our storage spaces, everything started performing as intended,” said Director of Emergency Management Jonathan Jacobson.
The system now operates as designed, running efficiently, quietly, and consistently in support of daily operations and training events alike.
A Model for the Future
The Olmsted County Public Safety Training Center represents a modern approach to government infrastructure centered on efficiency, reliability, and climate responsibility. With IRA incentives helping to offset upfront costs and a geothermal system designed for decades of reliable operation, the County made a decision built for the long term.
