The City of Brantford has broken ground on construction of its first zero-carbon build.

Work on the $56-million Brantford Police Service Redevelopment Project is being led by Melloul Blamey Construction.

The facility will span more than 127,000 square feet, and is expected to be completed in under three years.

“The redevelopment of the Brantford Police Service station reflects the city’s ongoing efforts to prioritize both public safety and environmental responsibility,” said Councillor Greg Martin, who also chairs the Brantford Police Services Board. “Designed with the future in mind, this facility, operating at net-zero carbon emissions, will accommodate the security needs of our growing community, further enhancing the ability of the Brantford Police Service to serve and protect Brantford residents.”

Proposed features of the three-storey redevelopment include triple-paned windows, a highly-efficient HVAC system to reduce energy consumption, ultralow-flow plumbing fixtures to minimize water usage, LED lighting with photocells for adaptive lighting control, and the installation of solar panels on the roof.