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St. Regis Mohawk Tribe breaks ground on new government headquarters and emergency operations center

Posted 4/26/17

AKWESASNE -- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe on Monday broke ground for their new government headquarters and emergency operations center. The 54,700 square foot facility will be at 71 Business Park Road. …

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St. Regis Mohawk Tribe breaks ground on new government headquarters and emergency operations center

Posted

AKWESASNE -- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe on Monday broke ground for their new government headquarters and emergency operations center.

The 54,700 square foot facility will be at 71 Business Park Road.

When completed in September 2018, the three-story building will house 18 tribal offices and provide parking for 225 vehicles.

The project site for the new Tribal Administration Building will be located on approximately seven-acres at Generations Park, which is also the location of the Tribe’s Office for the Aging, Tribal Police Department, Tribal Court, Diabetes Center for Excellence, Travis Solomon Memorial Lacrosse Box, Tewathahitha Walking Trail and several recreation and athletic fields.

The site will be easily accessible for visitors, with a sidewalk connecting the walking trail “to promote exercise and improve the overall health of tribal staff and guests,” tribal officials said in a news release.

Designed by Beardsley Architects and Engineers of Malone, the new building will “incorporate elements of energy conservation and unique building features,” according to the tribe. In addition to improved office space, the facility will include several meeting rooms and classrooms, storage space and will be entirely handicap accessible. It will use alternative energy sources such as solar panels and a geothermal heating and cooling system.

The new Tribal Administration Building will replace the Community Building at 412 State Route 37, which has housed the ever-expanding tribal government since it first opened in 1977. The building has undergone several renovations and alterations to accommodate a growing workforce, as it was never intended to be utilized as office space, according to tribal officials.

As a result, deficiencies exist that prevent any further renovations without significantly disrupting tribal services to the community. Problems include inadequate heating and cooling systems, inefficient building insulation, limited access to natural light and lack of sufficient egress, according to the tribe.

“As an employer, the Tribe has the responsibility to ensure the well-being of our workforce by providing a healthy and safe work environment,” tribal Executive Director Tsiorasa Barreiro said in a prepared statement. “The existing building is nearing the end of its practical use and we are proud that the new Tribal Administration Building will help enhance the effectiveness of tribal government by improving the public’s access to 18 tribal programs and government offices at one convenient location.”

“This is an historic and much-anticipated moment for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, as well as for the community of Akwesasne,” Chief Ron LaFrance said in a prepared statement. “After four decades of growth in Akwesasne, we are proud that the new Tribal Administration Building will enhance our community’s infrastructure and strengthen our ability to be deliver essential services.”