New Location Awaits Science and Resource Management Facility in Grand Canyon

New Location Awaits Science and Resource Management Facility in Grand Canyon
Date: June 29, 2011
Contact: Maureen Oltrogge, 928-638-7779
Contact: Phil Fessler, 928-638-7362

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The National Park Service (NPS) will break ground on a new facility for Grand Canyon National Park’s science and resource management staff later this year.The new facility will be constructed just south and east of the park headquarters building, located near Market Plaza.The site, which is currently vacant, was once the location of the park gas station.

The NPS completed an environmental assessment and issued a decision (Finding of No Significant Impact) in December 2010 announcing that the facility would be constructed in an area adjacent to the Magistrate’s Office within the Grand Canyon Village National Historic Landmark District.During the final design phase for the site, the NPS determined that the size and scale of the building were too large for the selected site, and that architectural designs were inconsistent with the intent and effects of the selected area.Therefore, a new preferred alternative (identified as Alternative 3 in the 2010 environmental assessment) was identified and selected by the NPS for implementation.This alternative, near park headquarters, is described and analyzed in the environmental assessment and meets the purpose and need for the action by providing for the construction of a fully functional LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified facility.

Currently, science and resource management offices are located in the old maintenance yard on Albright Street, which provides less than optimal working conditions in deteriorating warehouse-style buildings.The new facility will be approximately 8,500 square feet, consist of two floors, be universally accessible, and will include employee offices, general work space, meeting space, restrooms, a small public-use library, and storage.A new parking area will also be constructed at the new facility that will accommodate government vehicles, park staff and those visiting the facility.The new facility is also adjacent to a network of trails and nearby shuttle bus stops that will allow for employees to walk, bike or ride the park shuttle bus to and from work.

“We’re looking forward to breaking ground on the new facility for our science and resource management staff,” stated Barclay Trimble, Acting Superintendent.“The staff is currently co-located in antiquated facilities that were constructed in the 1960s and 1980s to house maintenance and warehouse operations.The new facility will provide professional space in an environmentally friendly building close to park headquarters.”

The new decision document (Finding of No Significant Impact Statement) and environmental assessment are available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grca.For questions and additional information, please contact Phil Fessler, Project Manager at (928)638-7362.