This paper presents an earthquake design procedure and a case study of the Vacaville Police Headquarters. The design goal for this essential facility was to provide immediate occupancy after a 475-year return seismic event. The project also required construction cost within typical code conforming buildings. A combination of Special Moment Resisting Frames (SMRF) and Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs) was used as the lateral force resistance system. This system, as described by Gimmel, Lindorfer, and Miyamoto, (2002) results in cost efficiency and superior seismic performance. The 2000 NEHRP (FEMA, 2000) guideline was used to design the project, since it is considered to be a state-of-art procedure for seismic damping devices. This project was the first structure in the United States to use this advanced procedure.