AUSTIN, Texas, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Austin-based architecture and land development services firm TAG International, LLP announced today that it will be designing a new Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas. The official groundbreaking takes place on March 25th in McAllen, Texas. Working with Austin developer Live Oak-Gottesman and Washington, DC-based FD Partners as part of a design-build team with Harvey- Cleary Builders, TAG International will design a fast-track, state-of-the-art facility for the Department of Homeland Security. Financing for the project will be provided by Frost Bank.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol secures America's borders by stopping inadmissible people and illicit goods, as well as facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Through key programs such as the Secure Border Initiative, Border Patrol facilities will use comprehensive programs to modernize border control technology and infrastructure in their efforts to reduce illegal immigration.
According to Bruce Jackson , AIA, the TAG International partner in charge of the McAllen Border Patrol project, the TAG/Harvey-Cleary team was selected due to the team's presence and experience in the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico , and for the team's expertise with law enforcement facilities. TAG brings to the project an established history of designing and managing local and international projects on time and under budget, along with passively integrating sustainable design strategies into building projects. The company provides architectural design and land development services for national and international clients across a spectrum of industries including commercial, industrial, health care, biotech and public sector organizations.
TAG has developed a project vision that projects the strength, dignity and stability of the US Government while reflecting the surrounding agricultural landscape and rich culture heritage native to the Rio Grande Valley. TAG will submit the McAllen facility for Certification to the US Green Building Council for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification, a third-party certification designed for rating new and existing commercial, institutional and high-rise residential buildings. The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of highperformance green buildings. LEED provides building owners and operators with the tools they need to have an immediate and measureable impact on their building's performance. In designing the McAllen facility, TAG will incorporate a variety of green concepts including optimization of energy efficiency, water usage reduction, storm water management, and HVAC systems using enhanced refrigerant management. TAG's design utilizes building materials with recycled content and low VOC emissions, as well as regionally available materials.
About TAG International
Based in Austin, Texas, TAG International is an architecture and land development services firm that has provided design and/or management services for more than 70 million square feet of built space. Essential to the company's success is a core belief in helping clients achieve the maximum potential value with each project. For more information, please contact Marlayna Brown at 512.328.1010, [email protected] or visit http://www.tagae.com.
SOURCE TAG International, LLP
