Suffolk has officially started construction on the Integrated Command & Communications Centre at Lightspeed in Sweetwater, Florida, a $210 million investment that will transform Miami-Dade County’s ability to respond to emergencies.
Chosen as the design-build partner, Suffolk will manage both the design and construction phases of the state-of-the-art facility. The project is being hailed as one of the most advanced emergency operations centres in the region, centralising critical response capabilities under one roof.
The new centre will feature cutting-edge video technology for real-time situational awareness, a rooftop helipad designed to accommodate helicopters weighing up to 30,000 pounds, and an 80-foot-tall communications tower that will strengthen emergency connectivity throughout South Florida. Officials, including the county mayor and commissioners, will also have secure operational space within the facility to lead coordinated responses during hurricanes, public safety threats, and other large-scale emergencies.
Sustainability is also a major goal. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification, with plans to include 600 electric vehicle charging stations and an on-site fuelling station for essential fleets. About 25% of the construction value will be allocated to small business enterprises, ensuring that local companies benefit from the massive undertaking.
To minimize disruptions, Suffolk is coordinating construction near an active 911 call centre, employing advanced digital modelling to preemptively address design and logistical challenges. This approach is expected to reduce both costs and risks while ensuring smooth execution.
Thomas Thrasher, Suffolk’s East Coast Florida general manager, emphasised the project’s significance:
“Lightspeed is one of the most consequential projects underway in Miami-Dade, and Suffolk is honoured to have been selected to deliver it. We are excited to bring our deep experience designing and building complex, high-impact, and high-integrity facilities, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
Once complete, the facility will serve as the central command hub for disaster response in Miami-Dade County, with the ability to coordinate across multiple agencies. Its design reflects lessons learned from past hurricanes and regional crises, providing the infrastructure necessary to safeguard one of the nation’s most vulnerable coastal communities.
This project adds to Suffolk’s growing portfolio of landmark developments in South Florida, which include the Seminole Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Palm Beach Gardens, the Joule House in Miami, as well as expansion projects at Palm Beach International Airport and PortMiami.
By consolidating technology, sustainability, and resilience into one facility, the Integrated Command & Communications Centre is expected to redefine emergency preparedness for Miami-Dade and set a new standard for public safety infrastructure nationwide.
Originally reported by World Construction Network.
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