SRP Helps to Facilitate Green Projects Throughout Ariz

The Portland, Ore. office of IBERDROLA RENEWABLES has sold the output of a planned wind power project in Arizona. Phoenix-based utility Salt River Project has agreed to purchase the entire output from phase one of the Dry Lake Wind Project, located approximately 18 mi northwest of Snowflake.

The first phase will include approximately 30 wind turbines and is expected to generate up to 63mW of electricity, which could power up to 15,000 homes. The project could offset over 185 million lbs of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to removing 15,000 cars from the road.

The project is scheduled to break ground in early 2009, and if everything goes as expected should become the state's first major commercial wind project.

One of the largest commercial solar energy projects in Arizona is in the works at the massive new Gatorade distribution center in Tolleson, Ariz. In a partnership with SRP and PepsiCo (Gatorade's parent company), Novato, Calif.-based SPG Solar Inc. will install a photovoltaic system on the 797,000-sq-ft distribution center's roof. The solar panels are expected to produce more than 760,000kWh per year, enough to power 50 homes and saving up to 491 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Up to 5.5 million cases of Gatorade bottles are manufactured and warehoused at the LEED gold-certified distribution center.

"This solar energy project by the Gatorade Arizona plant is good for the environment, good for Arizona and underscores our comprehensive commitment to environmental sustainability," says Jim Lynch, senior vice president of PepsiCo Chicago.

The panels are scheduled to be installed this month and the system will begin producing power by November. SRP will provide $1.2 million in incentives for the project.

New Rec Village for Sun City Grand

Roskamp Sun Health Management and Development broke ground on a new 40,000-sq-ft Recreation Village at the Colonnade at Sun City Grand.

Sun City Grand Clubhouse, Sun City, Ariz

This facility is designed to suit the lifestyle of today's seniors. The Recreation Village will consist of two buildings and will feature an indoor pool/spa, an indoor walking track, fitness facility, health center, dining venues and a library. In addition, the building features administration offices, conference rooms and an auditorium.

Javcon is the general contractor on the $8.5 million project, which is scheduled to be completed in spring of 2009.

The Colonnade is located in Surprise. RAM Group Architects was the architect on the recreation village.

Rowland to Renovate and Expand Historic Scottsdale Church

Rowland Cos. began construction on the expansion and renovation of the First Baptist Church of Scottsdale, which was founded in 1912.

The $3.9 million renovation of this historic church includes a new 11,800-sq-ft expansion of the existing worship building, with office space, choir rehearsal, sound-proof music rooms, expanded restroom facilities, adult education wing, additional worship center seating capacity, and a stand-alone cafe building, which will be used for after-services activities and concerts.

The existing Worship Center will also be renovated to house a state-of-the-art audio visual system. The exterior is receiving all new finishes, but will retain the "Lantern" that is a landmark to downtown Scottsdale residents.

GLHN to Design $5 Million Veterans Building

GLHN Architects & Engineers was chosen to design the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' second Veterans Integrated Service Network 18 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract. The $5 million, five-year contract covers eight VA Medical Centers in Ariz., N.M., and west Texas and includes design of new buildings and rehabilitation of existing facilities.

GLHN has worked continuously for the Department of Veterans Affairs since 1975.

Healthy New Building Opens for Medicis

Medicis relocated to its new headquarters located at the RiverWalk in Scottsdale.

Medecis Headquarters, Scottsdale, Ariz

The new 150,000-sq-ft facility features a design that shifts away from traditional offices to office spaces. That shift, along with numerous conference areas, WI-FI access throughout and state-of-the-art, sound-spatial relation technology results in a more collaborative atmosphere. Among the facility's many amenities are a cardio fitness center, locker rooms with showers and dressing areas, health and wellness areas, a game room, a gourmet cafeteria and a coffee bar.

The Alter Group of Chicago served as developer. Patrick Hayes Architecture of Scottsdale and DMJM H&N/AECOM served as architectural and design consultants. The Weitz Co. served as general contractor.

Fire Station No. 6 for City of Yuma

Designed around the universal icons of the firehouse and the spirit of the firefighters' everyday contributions, Fire Station No. 6 encompasses the most recent advancements in architectural techniques and industry-specific technology. Breckenridge Group was commissioned to design the new firefighting facility, which houses a fully operational fire service and emergency medical services to better service the growing Southwest region of the City of Yuma. It is located at 3151 S. Pinto Way. Completed in June, the 7,998-sq-ft station includes two-bays and a construction cost of $2.6 million. 

Loop 101 HOV Lanes Contract Awarded

Arizona Structure Technologies Inc. was awarded a contract to fabricate tubular sign structures and foundations, bridge mount sign fascias and junction boxes for placement on State Route 101 (the Loop). The award by Roadway Electric Inc., is part of a $31 million construction contract from ADOT to support construction of the Loop's high occupancy vehicles (HOV) lane effort. The construction will run from milepost 51.4 to 60.6 and encompasses the cities of Chandler, Mesa and Tempe.

Goodyear Awards $2.6 Million Contract

Arizona Structure Technologies, Inc. was awarded a contract by Han Mar Energy, Inc. to fabricate modular steel signal pole structures and anchor bolts for the Bullard Avenue Improvements project in Goodyear. The City of Goodyear project, which will stretch from Lower Buckeye Road to Bullard Wash, is being constructed by Pierson Construction Corp.

New Vehicle Barrier Fence at Yuma Border Patrol

Ninyo & Moore provided geotechnical services for the Army Corp of Engineers through PRIME Engineering for the design and construction of over 10 mi of permanent vehicle barrier fence and associated construction roads within the Yuma Border Patrol Sector of Arizona. Ninyo & Moore's services will include planning, coordinating, field reconnaissance, executing a subsurface exploration program (consisting of the excavation of over 60 soil borings), engineering and geologic analysis and preparing a report presenting findings, analysis and recommendations regarding the design and the construction of the project.

School Architect Receives Governor's Preservation Award

Hunt & Caraway Architects Ltd. received a 2008 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor Award from the Arizona Preservation Foundation in partnership with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office for the historic preservation of Franklin Police & Fire High School for the Phoenix Union High School District.

Franklin School was originally constructed in 1926 as an elementary school, and revitalized after standing desolate for over 10 years into a career and technical education public safety high school for students pursuing careers in firefighting and law enforcement. The school re-opened its doors in the fall 2007 and remains the only school of its kind in the nation.

Architect Tamara Caraway, AIA says that "Franklin School was filled with treasures that were hidden for so long, they were almost forgotten. Our job as architects is to discover those treasures and to ensure the building retains its historic significance while equipping it for its appropriate use today."

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