CLINTON —
The new community human services campus not only brings together organizations in an old building that looks like new from the inside, but it has received significant benefits from economically and ecologically friendly updates and a revolutionary design, according to the development consultant.
Visitors took in all the features of the new facility at an open house Wednesday.
“Structurally there was nothing wrong with the building,” Development Consultant Paul Wilging said. “It’s just that the mechanics are old.”
The renovated building features high efficiency geo-thermal heating/cooling system and insulation, elevator access to all three floors, windows and electrical upgrades. These efficiency features will keep long-term operating costs of the facility to a minimum, Wilging said. After constructing the changes, contractors were able to see significant savings of about $70,000 to $80,000 compared to what the initial proposed costs were.
Clinton Engineering, Atwell Heating, Air Conditioning and Geo-Thermal in the Quad Cities and Air and Straka Johnson Architects from Dubuque came together to develop the unique and cost-efficient design.
“Geo-thermal heating is very innovative and to do a whole building is very unique,” Jim Cerling, of Clinton Engineering, said.
These heating units were projected to cost $60,000 per year, but they have been producing $30,000 in energy costs, far exceeding expectations. Sensor lighting also helps to keep utility costs down throughout the building. The lights automatically turn on and use the least amount of light and can be adjusted to provide more lighting. They also dim and shut off if the room is not in use. With this lighting system, costs are 30 percent less than typical lighting units.
“This has been better than ever expected,” Wilging said. “The revitalization of this building has blown everyone away.”
The building houses the offices of the Clinton Substance Abuse Council, offices and activity areas for Clinton County Special Athletes, Area Substance Abuse Council/New Directions treatment and prevention services, Gateway Impact Coalition, a new meeting room for the Clinton Alcoholics Anonymous Group, the YWCA north campus childcare center and offices for the Clinton Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Gateway Impact Coalition moved into the facility at the end of February and have reaped the benefits of more space.
“This is so much better than our last office,” Coordinator Crystal Lawburgh said. “It’s hard to believe this was a school at one point.”
With all the savings from the design, Wilging is working on cleaning up the lowest level to put in a Bocce Ball court for the Clinton County Special Athletes, who will use the gym on the middle level. Additional changes are in the works, such as fixing the kitchen, replacing some windows, fixing up the parking lot and adding more fencing for an additional playground for the YWCA childcare center. These projects are expected to cost about $60,000.
“All the major work is done and most of the building is up and running,” Wilging said. “We just need to fix up and enhance a few more things.”
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The new Clinton Community Human Services Campus at the old Horace Mann elementary school houses space for Area Substance Abuse Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Clinton Special Athletes, Gateway Impact Coalition, Alcoholics Anonymous and the north YWCA Childcare Center.
Discussion
July 12, 2012
New human services building saves on costs
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