Phased Construction and Security in a High-Risk Federal Facility

Challenge

The FAA Multi-Purpose Building in Oklahoma City houses the backup data center supporting national airspace operations for all U.S. commercial and military aircraft. Flintco was tasked with completely gutting and modernizing the 211,000 SF facility—stripping it to the structural frame and rebuilding it from the ground up—while keeping the data center operational 24/7 throughout a four-year renovation. With approximately 400 FAA employees occupying upper floors and the site located on active airport property, uninterrupted operations, security, and safety were non-negotiable.

The project scope included major seismic upgrades below the water table in contaminated soil, lead and asbestos abatement, and renovation work both inside and beneath the data center. Access to the data center itself was strictly prohibited, even as its entire exterior, including the main entrance, was demolished and rebuilt.

Solution

Flintco developed a phased construction strategy that prioritized risk mitigation. Work began in the basement, allowing seismic and structural upgrades to be completed first. Work then progressed from the exterior inward, enabling early enclosure of the building and minimizing exposure to weather, dust, and security risks.

Security planning was fully integrated into each phase. Emergency action plans were aligned with FAA protocols and used owner-provided maps that included muster points and alternative response procedures. Temporary enclosures, dust screens, and dedicated fire watch coverage were installed around the data center during exterior wall work. Continuous communication with site personnel ensured safe movement throughout the facility and prevented unauthorized access to active construction zones.

Result

The phased, security-driven approach enabled continuous operations and occupancy, delivering the project on schedule with zero OSHA recordable incidents over 1,698 days of construction.