Steamship Authority General offices

FALMOUTH — The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority administration headquarters has been completed and the staff is functioning smoothly in the new facility.

The building was constructed to meet requirements of being built in a flood zone. The reinforced concrete slab floor is 17 feet above grade.

All materials used are for a flood zone, capable of withstanding submersion. The floor is a 2-foot thick concrete slab so the water can’t lift the building up. Concrete also lines the first floor perimeter to withstand flooding and storm surges.

The first floor is organized around customer service–related needs that must be located for public access. Upper floors are for staff needs and meeting space. The square footage of every area was designed as minimal as we believe possible while still being adequate for the purposes they serve. This was to insure the building did not block views.

The new headquarters building at 228 Palmer Ave. was constructed as part of the ferry line’s six-year, $60 million project to totally revamp its Woods Hole station, including building a new terminal building and reconstructing three ferry slips on the site.