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Regional medical examiner facility advances to permitting; St. Lucie team briefs Okeechobee commissioners
Summary
Design team for the regional medical examiner facility told Okeechobee commissioners the project has completed 100% design documents and is in the final 30‑day review; the facility will be built on leased land at Indian River State College with a 14–16 month construction estimate after bids.
A regional medical examiner facility being advanced by St. Lucie County is nearing permit submittal and shortlisting for contractors, project managers told the Okeechobee County Commission.
Scotty Beaulieu, construction manager for St. Lucie County, and Johnny Lorem of j o 2 architecture reviewed the project scope, design and site selection. The proposed facility is to be located on Indian River State College property adjacent to the public‑safety academy; the county has a 40‑year lease at $1 per year for the parcel, project staff said.
Architects reported the facility is being sized for 20‑ to 30‑year needs (approximately 23,000 to 25,000 square feet), will include morgue/laboratory space, administrative and family‑assistance rooms, a secure sally port and the infrastructure for future expansion and mass‑disaster surge capacity. The design team emphasized odor mitigation, flexibility, and a family‑oriented bereavement space as key program elements. The project also includes modern lab technologies such as a whole‑body scanner and video viewing suites for investigators.
St. Lucie County said the 30‑day interlocal review with participating partners was nearly complete and the county will proceed with permitting through Indian River State College (IRSC). The procurement will be a hard bid with a prequalification step for specialized contractors; a 14–16 month construction period was estimated once a contractor is selected.
Why it matters: Okeechobee County is one of several local partners that will help fund and use the facility; the project centralizes regional forensic services and is intended to improve turnaround time and provide a dignified identification and family-assistance space.
Next steps: Once interlocal reviews finish, the design will go to IRSC permitting, prequalification of bidders will be issued per the interlocal agreement, and bidding will follow. The design team said the project has been coordinated with the medical‑examiner office and will seek accreditation. St. Lucie staff said they are also tightening the interlocal agreement language to clarify construction-phase funding flows and responsibilities.
