OKC Public Inebriate Alternative Facility Celebrates Opening

Architectural Design Group, Inc., an Oklahoma City-based design and program management firm, recently provided design services for the new Public Inebriate Alternative Facility location.  Formerly housed in Bricktown, the facility was relocated to its new home on Linwood Boulevard in order to provide more space for the program.  The Public Inebriate Alternative Facility provides social services for clients who would otherwise be incarcerated due to public intoxication.

Oklahoma City Council Members toured the new public facility. The facility provides a place where adults who are intoxicated but have committed no other crime can be held for a ten-hour detention period to sober up. Major Tom Jester of the Oklahoma City Police Department said, “It is the best facility of its kind in the whole nation.”  

The 7,800-square-foot space includes the holding area for clients of the Public Inebriate Alternative program, the administrative offices for the non-profit organization OKC Metro Alliance, Inc., as well as the Firstep recovery program offices. OKC Metro Alliance, Inc. assists Oklahoman’s in need of recovery through these two programs.

Interior finishes feature calming neutral colors, simple materials and free-flowing traffic patterns within the administrative spaces. Exterior renovation was limited, incorporating new windows, awnings and paint. The holding area was designed to include the Facility Administrator’s office, a laundry room, a storage room, a commercial kitchen, and ladies and men’s dorms equipped with cots and showers. The entire area is locked at all times and includes a separate entrance for secure drop-off.

Since this is a civic building, the Art in Public Places program afforded the addition of a sculpture complementing the main entrance. The piece, titled “One,” is composed of individual metal squares at various angles to represent the 365 days in a calendar year alluding to recovery’s motto “take it one day at a time.” Because many of the clients who are held are repeat offenders, the Firstep Recovery Program works in conjunction with the facility to accept referrals to address dependency issues and work with those in need of rehabilitation.

For more information on the services provided by the Public Inebriate Alternative program and the Firstep Recovery program, you may visit the OKC Metro Alliance, Inc. website at www.okcmetroalliance.com or call (405) 232-1864.

For more information on Architectural Design Group, contact Anne-Marie Funk, Director of Business Development at 405.232.5700, email: afunk@adgokc.com.

Photos by: Jessica Fisher and Anne-Marie Funk