BENTON COUNTY ELECTIONS CENTER

Type: Civic/Public
Location: Kennewick, WA

The Benton County Elections center was housed in a leased space that was not conducive to current voting operating procedures. Wanting to move the center closer to their Kennewick campus, Benton County purchased a former fire station building and property adjacent to the campus.  The project consisted of a 5,700 sf modernization of the former fire station building to elections center. Site and street modifications provide a link to the campus while interior colors and materials were selected to match and complement the recently completed Benton County Administration Building and their newly formed standards. An emphasis was placed on transparency in the building to ensure voter confidence in the handling and processing of ballots. Security was prioritized, and the team studied the use of ballistic glass, security cameras, panic buttons, and evacuation plans.