Needs Assessment

Space Needs Assessments & Programming

Most municipal facilities continue to operate well past their planned life span. Facilities and Departments often become seriously overcrowded, suffer from a lack of sufficient infrastructure (HVAC, electrical, data, and telecommunication) and limp along with outdated security and safety systems. These environments may result in a decline in operational efficiency and morale.

The first step of a facility project is to conduct a Needs Assessment to identify and document the existing conditions and deficiencies of a facility by examining all of the needs including department, staff, equipment and public needs. Staff participation is encouraged during this information collection process.

A thorough Space Analysis Study, completed in conjunction with a Needs Assessment, demonstrates the inadequacies of the current environment, and offers reliable estimates of current and projected space requirements based upon industry standard, trends, and client growth.

Whether the time comes to renovated an existing facility or build a new facility, a formal Needs Assessment is required for any project to move beyond an idea or dream into a more defined space planning stage, based on the spatial requirements established by the Needs Assessment.

Benefits of a Space Needs Assessment

The final Space Needs Assessment study should identify the various functional components, adjacency requirements, security needs, circulation, flow of operations, and individual area requirements. The study may also provide an estimated cost for the project and, when appropriate, an analysis of funding options. This data contained in the study will form a solid foundation for identifying available facility options, funding requirements and any associated funding options.

Conducting a formal Space Needs Assessment, including a preliminary cost estimate, is a fundamental step towards defining the required scope of a facility project. Hiring a specialized architect, experienced in Public Safety design, workflow and operations, is crucial to obtaining an accurate and detailed analysis to address current and projected space needs.

Recent Needs Assessment Clients

*Police Departments*	*Public Safety Departments*
Grand Blanc Twp., MI	Springfield, MI
Inkster, MI	Gross Pointe Park, MI
Lansing, MI	Bridgeport,WV Substation
MSP- Bay City Post	*Communications/Dispatch*
Meridian, MS	Grosse Pointe Park, MI (PS)
Clayton, MO	Harrison County, WV
Milford, MI	*District Courts*
Delta Charter Township MI Sheriff's Department	Kentwood MI, 62-B District Court
The City of Crestwood, MO	Taylor MI, 23rd District Court
Jacksonville, NC	Kent County 63rd District Court
Kentwood, MI	Lansing, MI 52nd District Court
Lowell, MI	*Municipal Offices*
New Baltimore,MI	Grand Blanc Twp., MI
Saline, MI	Macomb Twp.,MI
Troy, MI	Kentwood, MI
Utica, MI	Plymouth, MI
Village of Franklin, MI	Saline, MI
Waterford Township, MI	*Public Works Departments*
West Bloomfield,MI	Grand Blanc Twp., MI
Oklahoma City, OK	Bay City, MI
Milford, DE	Kentwood, MI
Bridgeton, MO	Waterford Township, MI
Novi, MI
Fire Departments
Chesterfield, MI
Grand Blanc Twp., MI
Bridgeport, WV
Monroe, MI
Southfield,MI
Taylor, MI
Jacksonville., NC
Waterford Township,MI
Highland Park, MI

Many of our space needs assessments have formed the basis for successful projects, which are shown highlighted.Illustrations of these projects may be found in the Portfolio section of our website.