WMATA, Local Officials Open New Command, Communications Center

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) new nerve center, the Integrated Command and Communications Center (MICC), is up and running.

WMATA GM/CEO Randy Clarke and Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg toured the MICC during a ribbon cutting celebration for the new Metro Building at Eisenhower in Alexandria, Va., joined by Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8th), Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, Department of Rail and Public Transportation Director Jennifer DeBruhl, and other Virginia officials.

The New MICC

The new 14-story building, located near the Eisenhower Ave Station, will support more than 1,400 employees and serve as a technology hub. In addition to the MICC, the building will be home to the data center, cybersecurity operations, bus and rail video teams, communications, and administrative support.

“The MICC is a world class control center that brings our rail, bus, security, and maintenance operations together in one place for the first time and our customer communications teams,” said Clarke. “Instead of managing service from separate control centers, we can coordinate together in real-time, working as a unified team to provide customers with clear, consistent messaging.”

WMATA selected an existing underutilized property in an area of Alexandria that has seen dramatic growth in the past several years, including commercial and residential development.

The building is the third and final to be completed as part of WMATA’s Office Consolidation Plan approved by the board in 2018. The old, outdated headquarters at the Jackson Graham Building was sold and new safe and efficient workplaces built closer to the customer and operations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

The move consolidated 10 locations into three buildings and created a long-term revenue stream through a ground lease of the former headquarters for development.

Eyes on Sustainability

In constructing the Virginia office building, WMATA targeted LEED Gold certification for sustainable building design. The building’s featured public artwork, titled “Tunnel Vision,” was inspired by WMATA’s iconic underground stations with converging lines and light to capture the look of a moving train through the system.

Earlier this year, the agency opened its new building at New Carrollton Metro Station in Maryland; and last year moved from the prior DC headquarters to a new headquarters at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station.