Trade and Cargo Academy

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Charleston District (SAC) has a new requirement for construction of a Trade and Cargo Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). The requirement will include hazardous material abatement and selective demolition of the current vacant 30,000 SF, three-story building, while preserving the existing main lobby and ensuring uninterrupted utility service to the occupied east wing. In its place, a new 28,400 SF, two-story, flood-resilient facility will be constructed. Due to poor soil quality and its location within FEMA Zone AE, the TCA will use a deep precast concrete pile foundation with pile-supported slabs, a heavy-duty steel frame to withstand high wind/seismic demands, a modern rainscreen envelope, and fully integrated building systems (HVAC, LED lighting, and security infrastructure). The interior will have space for instructional use on the first floor (including classrooms, an auditorium, and production spaces) and administrative open offices on the second floor. FLETC also has a requirement for the construction of a new Cargo Security and Seized Property Training Facility (CSSPTF), a separate one-story 5,985 SF facility purpose-built to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) training. Specifically designed for hands-on vehicle/cargo inspection, evidence processing, and simulated seized property storage, this site-adapted facility will also be elevated on a deep pile foundation to comply with stringent floodplain requirements. A key engineering focus for this site is the implementation of pile-supported stormwater piping under paved areas to mitigate soil settlement risks. Both facilities are engineered for a minimum 40-year operational lifespan, integrating highly durable, low-maintenance coastal materials, and will comply fully with the latest federal energy conservation standards, DHS security criteria, and 2021 building codes. These facilities are essential for the increased student enrollment and additional courses offered supporting FLETC Charleston.