As Onslow County’s population grows, the County needs additional space to expand several government agencies to better serve residents. To accomplish their expansion goals. Onslow County hired Boomerang to design a new one-stop Government Center that centralizes services and streamlines operations for the area’s fast-growing population. Designed with accessibility and increased collaboration in mind, this modern facility is built to serve the community’s needs well into the future.
- Client: Onslow County
- Location: Jacksonville, NC
- Size: 100,000 SF
- Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build
Onslow County: A Growing Hub
Recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing counties, Onslow County is transforming how it serves its community members and local economy by constructing a new Government Center. Prior to the development of the new Onslow County Government Center, residents had to navigate multiple locations to access essential services. The new Government Center creates a single, streamlined destination that brings key departments together, enhances accessibility, and strengthens operational efficiency for both staff and the community.
Design of the New Government Center
The modern Government Center campus is organized to support convenience and long-term flexibility:
- Departmental Storage Facility: A dedicated 10,000 SF facility that consolidates departmental storage and improves logistics.
- Main Office Building: A three-story, 70,000 SF office building that houses core county functions.
- Meeting Annex: A connected one-story, 20,000 SF meeting annex designed for public engagement, training, and multi-use events.
Departmental Layout
The three-story main building is planned to promote intuitive wayfinding, collaboration, and workflow:
- First Floor: Planning and Environmental Health—departments that frequently interact with the public—are positioned for easy access.
- Second Floor: Tax, IT, GIS, and Veteran Services are co-located to support seamless coordination of high-demand services.
- Third Floor: Purchasing, Finance, Human Resources, the County Attorney, County Administration, and County Commissioners share a connected environment that supports leadership, governance, and strategic decision-making.
The first-floor meeting annex expands the building’s civic capabilities, housing the Asset Management office, Commissioner’s Chamber, a county broadcast studio, and six adaptable training and meeting rooms. Built for resilience, the annex also functions as a backup Emergency Operations Center and an accessible on-site voting location, reinforcing its role as a central hub for civic activity.
A Sustainable Solution for the Future
Designed to serve the county for the next century, the Government Center prioritizes durability, adaptability, and efficient resource use. In collaboration with Onslow County leadership, Boomerang Design developed an open office environment featuring flexible meeting areas and diverse workspaces, allowing departments to expand and reorganize as needed.
Enhanced Collaboration + Access
This innovative workplace model breaks down silos, encourages cross-department collaboration, and makes it easier for residents to get what they need. By consolidating services in a single location and enhancing the work environment, the Onslow County Government Center streamlines operations, enhances the public experience, and prepares the county to effectively support ongoing growth.
