The bid to build a National Center for Critical Information Processing and Storage Secondary Data Center for the US Department of Homeland Security will conducted competitively, despite the concerted lobbying of Senator Byd chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bryd was instrumental in bringing an FBI data center to the Clarksburg area.
As reported on ZDTWeb.com on 2 January, the new data center will serve as a central location for information belonging to departments within the US Department of Homeland Security.
TTi Technologies has proposed the new facility be established in Wheeling at the Stone Center @ Market Plaza and in the former Hornes Building on Main Street.
According to the Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register, The US Department of Homeland Security is seeking 100,000ft2 of space to locate its backup data center, as well as 80,000ft2 of office space and another 80,000ft2 of environmental, or green, space.
The Stone Center has a total of 180,000ft2 of space, while the Hornes Building has 48,000ft2 of office space and is available for immediate occupancy.
The proposed data center would utilize both existing facilities, and an additional 40,000ft2 office building would be built to connect to them.
The Hornes Building already has been used to house federal offices such as the Office of the US Attorney General and has clearance for use as a government building.
It is equipped with bullet-proof windows and floors and a tamper-proof surveillance and telecommunications infrastructure that support a high level of security, according to information provided by TTi Technologies.
The new office building would be constructed to the east of the Stone Center on a 76,000ft2 parking lot across Market Street. The three buildings would be connected by an access-controlled walking bridge.