By Russ Jackson
Lynchburg, Virginia's city law enforcement community has a new home. The recently completed Lynchburg Police Department headquarters spans more than 96,000 square feet and consolidates operations once spread across multiple aging buildings. Designed with modern needs in mind, the facility reflects the city's investment in efficient operations, officer wellness, and long-term public safety.
After decades of operating from a scattered patchwork of outdated facilities, Lynchburg's police officers finally have a home worthy of their mission. The project, which broke ground in 2022 and officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in June 2025, is the result of years of planning and an ambitious vision for the future of policing in the area.
A $50 Million Public Safety Facility
With a price tag just north of $50 million, the headquarters is outfitted with features ranging from a 24/7 real-time crime center to a fully integrated security system, hardened infrastructure, and a dedicated Honor Garden outside its main entrance. Inside, officers now have access to fitness and wellness areas, padded interview rooms, a secure warrant processing center, and one of the most advanced networked systems in municipal public safety across the region.
But behind every camera feed, chilled server room, and glowing LED panel is the work of those who brought this technical marvel to life, not in uniform, but in hard hats and boots.
Southern Air earned the design/build scope for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low voltage systems by General Contractor English Construction. This wasn't just another job for us but a chance to help build a pillar of safety and trust for the city many of us call home.
Powering the Building: 3000 Amps and Room to Grow
The Southern Air electrical team, headed by electrical project manager Evan Harris, didn't just supply the power, they laid the literal foundation for future technologies. The building installs were led by electrical foremen Dean Carrol and Jacob Johnson, featuring a 3000-amp switchboard, 3000-amp automatic transfer switch, a large 40kW Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), EV-charging infrastructure with room to grow, and lighting and control systems that blend security with sustainability.
Behind every switchboard and control panel was the meticulous planning of Southern Air's in-house engineering team, led by Alan Cleveland. His work ensured every drawing, load requirement, and field adjustment translated into a real-world solution.
“There were a lot of moving parts,” said Harris. “Alan had to revise drawings multiple times as the client's needs evolved, and our team was ready every time. Our ability to solve problems for our customers is what sets Southern Air apart.”
HVAC, Plumbing, and Ductwork Security Bars
On the HVAC and plumbing side, mechanical project manager Austin Davis and his team brought airflow and plumbing systems to the men and women who protect the city, and even to the criminals they arrest. Designers and engineers Pete Barker, Jerry Jennings Sr. and Brian Denton worked closely with Davis, and Building Information Modeling department members Wayne Harris, Jeremy Fulcher, Ryan Berry and Robert Ginter to make sure the blueprints were accurate and coordinated resources needed at any given time throughout the build.
HVAC mechanics installed two air cooled chillers, two rooftop air handling units, two rooftop energy recovery units, 131 VAV boxes, two VRF systems, ductless mini split systems, and steam humidifiers. Our plumbing team, run by Terry Harper and David Cauley, installed every toilet, sink and all the associated plumbing and sanitary piping. Security features like ductwork security bars were installed to ensure that no Die Hard-style escapades could ever occur within the confines of the LPD.
“Sorry about your luck, John McClane, but you're not breaking out of this building through our ductwork,” Davis joked. “From engineering to the Fab shop, to installation, everyone hit their mark. We had almost no rework and zero negative feedback from the city or inspectors. It speaks volumes to the strength of our process and our people.”
Commissioning and Building Automation
More than 30 fans, humidifiers, and VRF systems were installed and turned on to ensure comfort and environmental control throughout the building thanks to commissioning foreman Jesse Plunkett, with the building automation taken care of by Casey Walshaw and Daniel Taylor. The result is a highly responsive, energy-efficient system that balances security with sustainability.
The Low Voltage Nervous System
One of the most complex portions of the job was handled by Robert Smith and Southern Air's Low Voltage Department. His team, led by foreman Mike Wilson, was responsible for the facility's advanced technological nervous system, high-density structured cabling, access control, surveillance, and duress systems.
From fiber to AV, there wasn't a single hallway that didn't have a low voltage component integrated. Smith's team installed systems from ExacqVision, Hanwha, Honeywell, and Panduit. One of the more unusual elements was a custom hot aisle containment system in the server room, designed to work hand-in-hand with Southern Air's mechanical in-row cooling system.
Low voltage and electrical teams coordinated daily to ensure every conduit and rough-in aligned perfectly with card readers, duress buttons, and room schedulers.
One Shared Goal Across Every Department
Across every department, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, low voltage, engineering, building automation, Southern Air's teams operated with one shared goal: to deliver excellence for a building that honors service and community. It is the same range of trades our crews brought to the restoration of Lynchburg's Academy of Music Theatre a few blocks away.
As the Lynchburg Police Department turns the key to a new era of public safety, Southern Air proudly knows that every light switched on, every secure door opened, and every breath of clean air taken within those walls is a reflection of our team's hard work and their values.
Interested in joining a team that takes on projects like this? See our open positions.
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