The Cleveland County Water Operations Center aims to centralize customer service and staff operations in a facility that is both accessible and prepared for the future. The design includes essential features such as administrative offices and a public lobby with transaction windows, as well as resilient elements like backup power generation to ensure continuity during outages.
- Client: Cleveland County Water
- Location: Shelby, NC
- Size: 19,771 SF
- Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build
A Modern Hub for Enhanced Water Services
The new 19,771 SF Cleveland County Water Operations Center brings together customer service, staff operations, and infrastructure support in a strategically positioned, future-focused facility. Designed with accessibility and long-term expansion in mind, the center enhances customer experience and provides staff with efficient workspaces to oversee Cleveland County’s essential water services.
Facility Features
The new Operations Center combines the following amenities under one roof, including:
- Drive-thru customer service window for quick, convenient transactions without leaving the vehicle
- Administrative offices have been designed to support productivity, collaboration, and staff well-being
- Public lobby with transaction windows that creates a clear, welcoming point of service for customers
- A boardroom designed to host leadership and key decision-making meetings
- Staff support areas that promote employee comfort, efficiency, and day-to-day performance
Adjacent Shop Building
An adjacent shop building extends the facility’s operational capability with:
- Locker facilities providing secure personal storage for field staff
- Workshop spaces for maintenance and repairs
- Inventory storage for organized materials and supplies
- Crew meeting room to support briefings, training, and coordination
Design + Construction Approach
Constructed with a combination of pre-engineered buildings and traditional framing, the operations center responds thoughtfully to the site’s topography while delivering durability and operational efficiency. This hybrid approach balances cost-effectiveness with a tailored architectural solution that fits the site and the County’s mission.
Focus on Resiliency + Future Readiness
Resiliency and long-term adaptability were key drivers throughout the design:
- Backup power generation ensures operational continuity and continuous customer service during utility outages
- Site planning for future expansions anticipates additional parking, storage, and vehicle maintenance areas, allowing the campus to grow as demand increases
By unifying people, processes, and infrastructure on a single, high-performing campus, the Cleveland County Water Operations Center strengthens service delivery today and positions the utility to meet the community’s needs well into the future.
