Iowa County Law Enforcement Center

This civic structure provides space for the sheriff's office, the civil division, booking, work-release functions, and the 40-bed Iowa County Jail.

Located in Marengo, the facility fits comfortably into both its immediate surroundings and the greater community. A fully integrated video, intercom, and control system ensures a high level of safety in operation for both inmates and staff.

• Iowa County Law Enforcement Center
• Marengo, Iowa

• Area: 14,630 ft²
• Cost of Construction: $3,125,000

Sustainable Elements

Elements

The horizontal geothermal HVAC system is one of the first of its kind for a jail in Iowa.

Site

• Proximity to existing services: within .25 miles of select community facilities.
• Proximity to existing development: min 25% of perimeter bordering existing development.
• Walkable neighborhoods: building entrances open directly into public sidewalks.
• Public Transport: within .5 mile of public transit services.
• Reduce Heat island effect: light colored concrete (SRI above 29).

Water Efficiency

• No irrigation: Use no potable water for site irrigation.
• Water-conserving appliances and fixtures.

Energy and Atmosphere

• Use of geo-thermal heating and cooling.
• Use of cost-effective directional-bore horizontal loop field.
• Installation of loop field sized to accommodate conversion of adjacent 1892 courthouse to geo-thermal heating and cooling; conversion of courthouse completed July, 2008.

Material and Resources

• Specification of building materials with high recycled content.
• Specification of building materials offering reclamation / recycle programs.
• Upgraded thermal envelope.
• Regional materials: provide 10% of building materials (by cost) that are regional, proceeded or mined within 500 mile radius.
• Durable and low maintenance exteriors: precast concrete wall panel.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Enhanced indoor air quality – use of low VOC materials.
• Enhanced indoor air quality – ultraviolet lights at cooling coils to stop mold.
• Enhanced indoor air quality – carbon dioxide sensors to control outside air distribution.
• Superior acoustic performance through low noise air distribution systems.
• Superior acoustic performance through use of high-mass exterior wall system.
• Clothes Dryer: exhaust clothes dryer to the exterior.
• Provide automatic closures and air seals at connecting doors between garage and occupied space.

Universal Design

• Interior doors provide a min. of 32 in. clear width.
• Accessible pathway through all interior spaces provided.
• No step entrance at all units per the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act.
• Strobe and Horn smoke and CO detectors for visually or hearing impaired.