65A - JAIL REUSE STUDY - Laserfiche WebLink

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Disadvantages (Weaknesses) - The Santa Ana City Jail poses numerous challenges to integrating a state-of-the- art data center design. Based on its location, multi -story configuration, confined and compartmentalized (non -cohesive) floor plans, minimally -purposed electrical system and mechanical systems designed for personnel air conditioning only, the facilities are generally not accommodating to the demanding design requirements for a data center and will require extensive renovations to serve as a data center. Data center facilities rarely meet the operational and capacity requirements of their initial design. The combination of new technologies, such as blade servers, which require substantial incremental power and cooling capacity; pressures to consolidate multiple data centers into fewer locations; the need for incremental space; changes in operational procedures; and potential changes in safety and security regulations converge to impose constant facilities changes in the modern data center. Thus, the overarching rule in data center facilities is to design for flexibility and scalability. The key to accommodation is based primarily based on ceiling height of a minimum of 12-15 feet. This is to allow an elevated panelized flooring for primarily for cooling and a sufficient volume of space above the racks to minimize heat buildup, trays, and exhaust ducting. More importantly, the significant revamping of the building's space and systems for a total of 7.6% of the total floor area may not be cost-effective given the uncertainly of changing technology. - In order to convert the building to a commercial data center, the City will have to incur a one-time project and construction expense of approximately $16,966,222. Because the data center reuse option is a change from the custody model, current building codes pertaining to the new use would be enforced. - The City would continue to be responsible for the repayment of the annual debt serve on the Jail building through 2024. - The duration of the building conversion design, bidding, and construction schedule will take place over a 26 month period. - The facility does not meet the ideal data center layout as a single floor, stand- alone building with equipment in a centralized space with an open floor/cohesive use layout with adequate electrical and mechanical systems to power and cool the center's equipment. - The City Jail building does not allow for the modularity needed for a data center to change and adapt with technology trends systematically by adding data modules or updating equipment as needed. - Recent trends show data centers older than seven years are typically obsolete. In some cases, the users needs have grown beyond their data centers capabilities in as little as 2-3 years requiring relocation or expansion. The feasibility analysis compared the Jail with 24 critical features for data centers. Only six of the key features were present in the facility and four others partially met the requirements. Fourteen of the essential features required in a data center were not present in the detention facility building or systems. 26 65A-33