- November 19, 2024
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by: Heather Belden
Volusia County Community Information
The Volusia County Council will break ground on the new Volusia County Medical Examiner Facility at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, next to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Evidence Facility at 3891 Tiger Bay Road, Daytona Beach.
The estimated $18.4 million project will provide the county a state-of-the-art facility to support normal operations and mass disaster situations. It will improve operations in the areas of personnel safety, storage capacity, air quality, flexibility for additional forensic pathologists and investigators, facilities for the bereaved, community outreach, and education for law enforcement and health professionals.
Features will include 24-hour climate control, a secure entryway, autopsy suite, tissue recovery room and evidence storage. The facility also includes a fully integrated building automation system, security surveillance and access control, safety showers and eye wash stations, a fiber optic network, and a long list of additional safety elements and technical innovations.
The new 20,000-square-foot building will allow the Office of the District Medical Examiner to achieve accreditation through the National Association of Medical Examiners.
“The experience and knowledge the county brought to bear on this building is so impressive,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. James Fulcher. “When I look at the plans, I am so proud. I recognize the hard work and time spent discussing the best way to design and build. When we move in, our efficiency and ability to teach is only going to get better.”
SchenkelShultz provided complete architectural and engineering services for the project, with team members McClaren Wilson & Lawrie, BBM Structural, OCI and Zev Cohen Associates of Ormond Beach. The construction manager and general contractor is Wharton-Smith Inc. of Sanford. Construction is scheduled for completion in fall 2023.
