Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on Miami-Dade County’s Lightspeed Emergency Operations Center, a $210 million facility designed to centralize emergency response across dozens of agencies, officials and first responders. Suffolk, serving as the project’s design-build partner, is managing both the design and construction of the center.
The facility will feature a next-generation emergency operations center with advanced video capabilities for real-time situational awareness, a rooftop helipad capable of supporting helicopters weighing up to 30,000 pounds, and an 80-foot-tall communications tower to support regional connectivity. The building will also include secure spaces for elected officials and emergency management personnel to coordinate during crises.
Sustainability and future mobility are priorities for the project. The center is pursuing LEED Silver certification and will include 600 electric vehicle charging stations as well as an on-site fueling station for critical fleets.
The Lightspeed center is intended to serve as the county’s hub for coordinating responses to hurricanes, public safety events and complex regional emergencies. The project is located near an active 911 call center, requiring careful planning to minimize disruptions during construction.
Nearly 25% of the construction value will be delivered by small business enterprises, supporting local economic inclusion. Suffolk is also leveraging digital modeling and real-time construction tracking to improve efficiency and reduce risks.
“We’re proud to play a role in shaping an infrastructure that will protect and serve the community for generations to come,” said Thomas Thrasher.
“Lightspeed is one of the most consequential projects underway in Miami-Dade, and Suffolk is honored 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. This project is vital to the safety and resilience of Miami-Dade County, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping an infrastructure that will protect and serve the community for generations to come,” Thrasher said.
The project adds to Suffolk’s portfolio of South Florida construction, which includes hospitality, residential, aviation and transportation projects such as the Seminole Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Ritz-Carlton Residences in Palm Beach Gardens, and expansions at PortMiami and Palm Beach International Airport.
