By Rita Hart

Staff writer

ST. LUCIE COUNTY - When St. Lucie County opens its new hurricane shelter next year, it will not only protect citizens with special needs, but it will also protect the environment.

Already under construction, the $12.7 million, 60,000-square-foot special needs shelter is expected to be opened in August 2008.

The building will replace what was previously used as a special needs shelter, the St. Lucie County Civic Center.

"During Hurricane Frances, the Civic Center lost its roof. When Hurricane Jeanne was coming, we had to ship the special needs residents to Palm Beach County, then we lost the temporary roof on the building with Hurricane Wilma," said County Administrator Doug Anderson.

"At that point, it was decided to remove the structure and build a new special needs shelter," he said.

When complete, the new building will have incorporated "green" technologies, including 75 percent recycled steel, 50 percent recycled aluminum, unbleached paper facings that have recycled and synthetic gypsum cores, other gypsum board products made from 100 percent recycled materials and asphalt-free pavements.

"We realize that if we want the development community to embrace green technologies, then we should lead by example," said Mr. Anderson.

"In addition to trying to incorporate green technologies in all of our new buildings, we're also looking to retrofit existing buildings when we have the funding available," he said.

The building will have the capacity to hold 750 special needs citizens in an emergency situation.

When not in use as a special needs shelter, the building will be used as an auditorium for events such as graduations, meetings and community events. The building will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 people for such events, and will include a gym with a NCAA regulation basketball court, kitchen, laundry rooms, restrooms and showers. The second floor of the building will house Park and Recreation offices.

Mr. Anderson said the showers, restroom and kitchen will be accessible for special needs residents.

"In addition, it will have a small emergency room, so if someone should have a problem they will go to that emergency room, which will be adjacent to a rescue truck. So once the storm has passed, we can take them to a medical facility," said Mr. Anderson.

Less than ten percent of the cost of the building will come from St. Lucie County's general fund. The remainder of the costs will be funded through insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state grants.

Residents can learn more about green building technologies by attending the Treasure Coast Green Conference on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, 2195 S.E. Airoso Blvd., Port St. Lucie. For more information, visit www.treasurecoastgreen.com or call (772) 785-5833.