by Brianna Crandall — February 2, 2011—On January 21, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) kicked off a massive modernization project of the historic Byron G. Rogers Federal Office Building and U.S. Courthouse, turning the 1960s structure into a high-performing green building with state-of-the-art cooling systems, windows and other features expected to cut the building’s energy use by 70 percent each year and save taxpayer money over the long term.
The building, at 1961 Stout St., is expected to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification thanks to upgrades including the replacement of all existing exterior windows, doors, and partitions; the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; fire protection system; electrical distribution system; LED lighting; and more.
This project will also implement a cooling system that uses chilled water fed through beams throughout the building. GSA notes this system uses far less energy than other typical cooling systems because the water does not have to be cooled to as low a temperature as traditional systems.
The 620,000-square-foot office building and courthouse has been home to 11 federal agencies. This modernization project will not only result in a modern, highly efficient workspace for the federal agencies housed there but will also help revitalize the eastern edge of the downtown central business district at 20th and Stout streets.
Using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, GSA awarded the $129 million contract to a design-build team led by Mortenson Construction in February 2010. The team includes: Mortenson Construction (design-builder); Bennett Wagner & Grody Architects (architect of record); HOK (design architect); the RMH Group Inc. (mechanical and electrical engineer); Rocky Mountain Institute (high-performance green building consultant); and Martin/Martin Inc. (structural engineer and blast consultant).
The project is expected to support approximately 2,000 jobs throughout the life of the project, including positions such as designers and consultants to contractors and suppliers. The project is expected to be complete in 2013.
