Navajo Nation Celebrates NDOT Complex Grand Opening

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

TSE BONITO, NEW MEXICO – The Navajo Nation will have a grand opening tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20, at 7:30 am for the new Navajo Nation Division of Transportation complex. It is a first of its kind complex on the Navajo Nation.

LEED Certified

The complex is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. To become certified, the building must be eco-friendly in categories such as, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials, and indoor environmental quality.

“The new transportation complex is setting a new standard in economic structure development. A building on the Navajo Nation that has this type of technology is outstanding.”

Navajo President Shelly said.

The Navajo Nation and New Mexico state Senator John Pinto secured funding for the complex that cost about $18 million to complete.

The 52,640 square foot building offers various size conference rooms, each with a unique Navajo name, equipped with modern technological material to help make easier communication and training. Some rooms are equipped with drop down projectors, smart boards, and light sensors for energy efficiency.

The floors throughout the entire building are made from recycled tires and glass. The gym has flooring made from recycled tires.

The building also makes use of geothermal technology. Using 144 drill sites below the building heat both the building and the water. Each well is about 300 feet deep and extracts heat from the earth.

“ The vision is for the future and to move forward with green energy, technology and continue to be environment friendly. This building shows what we can do for the Navajo Nation. Our Navajo people are innovative,”

President Shelly stated.

Intergraded self-regulating controls is another feature housed in the building. The self-adjusting controls monitor the carbon dioxide in a room and adjust the temperatures without a person realizing the change.

Two hundred and forty solar panels sit above shaded parking for employees with a 250 gallon water tank sitting on a slope nearby to feed into the fire alarm system by gravity and pressure.

But the building's design is more than just being eco-friendly.

In January 2010, emergency personnel needed a space to work to be the epicenter of emergency calls for Operation Snowfall, a storm that blanketed the reservation with more than four feet of snow in some places. With personnel from different divisions and departments trying to coordinate calls, a centralized location was needed.

The new building answers that need with The War Room.

The War Room is a highly modern conference room that could easily serve as a emergency epicenter. With six plasma televisions, multiple workstations, a large conference table and a kitchenette next door, the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation is prepared to respond quickly with assistance and space to host outside entities.

Construction began on the complex in August 2010 with the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation partnering with Dyron Murphy Architects, PC to design and construct the new complex along with Gerald A. Martin, LTD.

Security of the building is set with security cameras, keyless entry by way of badges and keypad entries. The main gate plans to be opened at 7 am and close at 7 pm to ensure security.

With green efficiency and technology making the complex notable, artisans were invited to paint murals, hang paintings and display various mediums of art, all revolving around transportation.

posted March 19, 2012 6:00 am edt