Smith Construction Management LLC broke ground on the $11.5-million Farmington Field Office and Warehouse. The scope of work includes the construction of a 33,570-sq-ft office building, a 6,176-sq-ft warehouse and site development including parking lots, service drives, landscaping and natural boulder site walls. The office will house two different Dept. of the Interior branches: the Farmington Bureau of Land Management and the Farmington Indian Minerals Office.

With the office expected to be LEED gold and the warehouse LEED certified, the facility will substantially decrease fossil fuel energy use and save the government operational and maintenance funds. About 7,520 sq ft of solar panels will offset 30% of the annual office and warehouse electrical demand. Designed by EDAW/AECOM out of Fort Collins, Colo., the project is scheduled for completion in November 2011.