Suffolk Breaks Ground as Design-Build Partner for Miami-Dade County’s Lightspeed Emergency Operations Center

Suffolk will by leverage cutting-edge technology and proven leadership to deliver one of Miami-Dade’s most advanced emergency response facilities

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Suffolk, one of the most innovative and successful builders in the country, has been selected as the design-build partner for the Sweetwater, Florida, Integrated Command & Communications Center at Lightspeed, a $210 million facility that marks a major investment in the safety, resilience and future-readiness of Miami-Dade County. Suffolk recently broke ground on the facility, officially launching construction on what will become one of the most advanced emergency response hubs in the region.

As the design-build partner, Suffolk will manage both design and construction for the facility. The facility features several specialized pieces of infrastructure, including a next-generation Emergency Operations Center outfitted with advanced video capabilities for real-time situational awareness, a rooftop helipad capable of supporting helicopters weighing up to 30,000 pounds, and an 80-foot-tall communications tower that will serve as a critical anchor for emergency connectivity across the region. The facility will also provide a secure operations space for the Mayor, County Commissioners and other elected officials to ensure responsiveness during emergencies. Sustainability and future mobility are also priorities, with the project pursuing LEED Silver certification and 600 EV charger locations and an on-site fueling station for critical fleets.

The Lightspeed center is a mission-critical hub designed to unify emergency response across dozens of agencies in moments of crisis and community need. When complete, the facility will serve as the County’s centralized headquarters for emergency coordination, equipped to respond to hurricanes, public safety events, and complex regional crises. Its design reflects the urgency and complexity of today’s evolving challenges, while reinforcing Miami-Dade’s commitment to public protection and continuity of government.

“Lightspeed is one of the most consequential projects underway in Miami-Dade, and Suffolk is honored to have been selected to deliver it,” says Thomas Thrasher, General Manager, East Coast Florida at Suffolk. “We are excited to bring our deep experience designing and building complex, high-impact, and high-integrity facilities, and we take that responsibility seriously. This project is vital to the safety and resilience of Miami-Dade County, and we’re proud to play a role in shaping an infrastructure that will protect and serve the community for generations to come.”

Suffolk is delivering this project in close proximity to a live 911 call center, requiring strategic coordination, creative logistics, and relentless precision to minimize any disruptions.

Nearly 25% of the construction value is being delivered by small business enterprises (SBEs), reinforcing Suffolk’s commitment to economic inclusion and community engagement.

Technology will also play a key role in the build. In design-builds, Suffolk leverages digital modeling to identify and resolve potential clashes before they reach the field, reducing risk and cost. In addition, digital documentation tools and logistics platforms are leveraged during construction to provide real-time visibility into progress and deliveries, ensuring the project stays on track. These innovations are part of Suffolk’s larger technology-driven approach to construction, where data and digital tools are embedded across planning and execution to drive safer, more efficient outcomes.

In addition to Lightspeed, Suffolk’s South Florida portfolio spans hospitality and residential, aviation and transportation projects. Notable work includes the iconic guitar-shaped Seminole Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Palm Beach Gardens, and the Joule House in Miami; the expansion of Concourse B at Palm Beach International Airport along with Royal Caribbean Terminal A and Virgin Voyages Terminal V at PortMiami; and Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Florida’s headquarters.

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies), and innovation research and development.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $8 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and offices in Boston (headquarters); New York City and Westchester County, New York; Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Estero in Florida; Dallas; Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego; Las Vegas; Portland, Maine; New Haven, Connecticut; Herndon, Virginia; and Salt Lake City. Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, federal government and public work, mission critical, advanced technology, and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and led by Founder, Chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Largest Domestic Builders” and #10 on its list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.