The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Opus East, L.L.C., broke ground for the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction (NCWCP), the crown jewel in a new 50-acre section of the University of Maryland's M-Square Research and Technology Park. Opus East, L.L.C., of Rockville, Maryland, will construct and own the building and lease it to the GSA.

The 268,762 square-foot office and research complex will become the new home for NOAA's Satellite and Information Service, Air Resources Laboratory and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, an office of the National Weather Service. Approximately 800 people will work in the facility.

Ann Everett, Acting Administrator for GSA's National Capital Region, said, "By locating this facility adjacent to the University of Maryland, GSA enhances NOAA's ability to develop closer collaboration between its scientists and forecasters, and the faculty and students at the University of Maryland. This benefits NOAA, the University, and the American people."

Virtually all the meteorological data collected globally will arrive at NOAA's Center for Weather and Climate Prediction. Environmental scientists will analyze this information and generate a wide variety of atmospheric and oceanic forecasts and guidance products using sophisticated numerical weather and climate prediction models.

This structure has been designed to provide a state-of-the-art facility that reflects NOAA's mission "to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our nation's economic, social and environmental needs." It includes features that demonstrate environmental sensitivities, such as its "green roof" and rainwater waterfall, and both the site and building design will achieve the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver Certification. An employee-friendly building that brings the natural settings into everyone's office will be equally inviting to visitors.

Source: "GSA, NOAA and Opus Break Ground for NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction," PR Newswire, March 13, 2006. Read the story.