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Animal Shelter

Project Status

April 30, 2019

Presenters

William Stephens, Director of Emergency Services

Ed Tucker, Chief of Animal Control

Kim Stephens, Animal Shelter Supervisor

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Tri-County Animal Shelter

▪ Tri-County Animal Shelter (TCAS) was built

approximately 50 years ago on roughly 10 acres

of land to serve a Tri-County population of 87,500.

Today, the population of Charles County alone is

nearly double that number.

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▪ The Tri-County Animal Shelter (TCAS) was, up

until November 2018, the animal shelter for

Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties.

Currently, it is the shelter for Charles and St.

Mary’s counties.

▪ In response to evolving animal care practices,

population growth and ensuing demand for

service, numerous additions and renovations

have been undertaken. However, the facility

remains outdated, woefully inadequate, and in

need of major improvements

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Calvert County

▪ May 26, 2016

▪ Announced plans to break from the

Tri-County program and build their

own shelter

▪ November 1, 2018

▪ Grand opening of the new Linda

L. Kelley Animal Shelter

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St. Mary’s County

▪ Conducted an independent

feasibility study

▪ Presented to the St. Mary’s

Commissioners on August 29, 2017

▪ Commissioners voted on October

24, 2017 to build a St. Mary’s

shelter

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Charles County

▪ Conducted a feasibility study by FMD

Architects and presented to the Charles

County Commissioners on February 28,

2017

▪ On November 7, 2017 the Charles

County Commissioners voted to

construct a new animal shelter for

Charles County

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Existing Considerations• Location

• Poor ventilation, no AC in summer

• Can not satisfy the State standards for air

temperature in animal holding areas (60º – 80º)

• Sick animals housed with healthy

• Aggressive housed with friendly

• Stray with adoptable

• Cats next to dogs

• Cracks and gaps

• Work flow poor

• Old, dilapidated building would need to be

brought up to code

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Renovation of Existing Building

▪ Approximately 22,128 SF needed

“Due to the state of the shelter, financial considerations

and the function, it is not recommended to explore any

option to renovate or add on to the existing shelter.”

• Exorbitant site improvements costs, no buildable area

• Additional circulation space required

• Full elec., mech. and plumb. system upgrade required

• Cost to operate and modify structure (more than 80%

of the cost to renovate versus build new)

• Can’t operate during renovations

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A request for site approval for a new

Charles County Animal Shelter was

approved by the Charles County

Commissioners on November 7, 2017

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Build Site

Piney Church Road – the “Driggs Site”

This property was selected as it provides

the best accessibility and visibility for the

new shelter. It is located on Piney Church

Road across from the Regency Stadium.

Eventually, other County agencies will also

be located on this property such as the

new transit facility.

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The Driggs Site

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The “Driggs site” was dedicated for the

new Charles County Animal Shelter on

November 14, 2018

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In August 2018 Manns Woodward

Studios, Inc. collaborating with Shelter

Planners of America was awarded the

contract for architectural, engineering,

and site development for the new

Charles County Animal Shelter.

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After many discussions with staff from

Capital Services, Emergency Services,

Animal Control & Sheltering, Public

Works, Information Technology, Media

Services and Central Services, Manns

Woodward Studios, Inc has preliminary

designs for a new Charles County Animal

Care Center.

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Programs and Services

▪ The Charles County Animal Care Center will

include zoned heat and air ventilation systems

that will keep the animals at a comfortable

temperature, will help to reduce the spread of

disease, and keep the facility from smelling bad.

▪ Natural light is incorporated into the design to

create a warm and welcoming feeling to

increase adoptions

▪ An education room for meetings, trainings and

vaccination clinics. This education room will be

available for use by other county departments

and the community

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Programs and Services

▪ Inside meet and greet areas for both cats

and dogs. As well as outside meet and greet

areas and exercise areas for the dogs

▪ Multiple community cat rooms some include

an attached catio.

▪ A medical clinic with a surgery suite for

shelter animals

▪ A walking trail, a livestock barn with a

paddock, a pavilion and an equipment shed.

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Charles County

Animal Care Center

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Charles County

Animal Care Center

It is anticipated that the new Charles County Animal Care Center

will be completed and open to the public by 2022

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Moving Forward❑ Preparation of design RFP (45 days)

❑ Design procurement process (90 days)

Bidding, award, notice to proceed

❑ Design & permitting (225 days)

Includes preparation of construction bid

documents

❑ Construction procurement process (90 days)

Bidding, award, notice to proceed

❑ Construction (465 days)

Total Timeline = 915 days (30.5 months)

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QUESTIONS ?

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Presented By:

Charles County Government

Emergency Services301-609-3401

10425 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD 20646MD Relay Service: 7-1-1

Equal Opportunity EmployerIt is the policy of Charles County to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race,

color, sex, age, national origin, religious or political affiliation or opinion, disability, marital status, sexual

orientation, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other status protected by law.

www.CharlesCountyMD.gov