New district morgue still uncertain on funding, moves forward on choosing architect

The District One Medical Examiner's Office might not have an established location, but the group tasked with facilitating the four-way intercounty process, District One Examiner Support Inc. (DOMES), is moving ahead on recommending a firm for architectural and engineering purposes.

The $20 million facility will house a morgue and office space.

The medical examiner's office serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties and currently sits in Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Officials wanted a facility larger than the current 4,000-square-foot space, and a more central location between the four counties.

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Last month, Santa Rosa County Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to providing the land for the structure, committing up to 10 acres, but the counties have yet to decide how to split the design and construction costs.

"But ultimately, to get that committed, it's going to require four boards to commit to that percentage," said Santa Rosa Acting Assistant Administrator Brad Baker. "You know we can't commit (for) Escambia and Okaloosa, we can only commit to what our board is willing to put percentage-wise to the project."

Under the current proposal, Escambia would contribute 35%, Santa Rosa would pay 22%, Okaloosa would take on 30% and Walton County 13%.

"So, if you look at it, Escambia has the highest use of the (medical examiner's) office, then Okaloosa, then Santa Rosa, then Walton," Baker said. "So obviously, you would think the percentages would go according with that based on the use of the facility."

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DOMES is now sitting with proposals from Caldwell Associates Architects, Goodwyn Mills Cawood and Sam Marshall Architects to design and engineer the building. DOMES is meeting Wednesday to discuss the proposals and weigh each firm's credentials before submitting a recommendation to the Santa Rosa board on Thursday.

Baker said, ultimately, the County Commission will get final say on which firm is chosen.

"They can decide whatever they want, they're elected officials," Baker said. "I will bring them the recommendation and however three of the five of them vote, is the direction we'll go."

Baker said that it will be sometime in the second quarter of 2022 that the facility's spatial needs are determined.

"Because you've got to know square footage, then they can apply whatever the normal building cost for the medical examiner portion of the building and then the administrative complex. Those are different," Baker said. "They're going to be different values. Obviously, it's going to take heavier grade building, heavier air conditioning. You've got to have a freezer component — or, you know, a refrigeration component — on the (medical examiner) side of it. But the administrative complex. It could be just like ours, all they need is office space."

District 1 Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Deanna Oleske requested more funding this summer as her cases rose in an already-aging building, and as supply chain issues increased the cost of medical equipment.

Baker said a project as big as this one means there is a lot still left unanswered.

"I don't know we know all the answers yet," Baker said.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: New district morgue cost split undecided for escambia, Santa Rosa