Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Cogeneration technologies are poised to play an increasingly important role in the energy mix of the future.

Cogeneration technology, including combined-heat-and-power (CHP) systems and district heating-and-cooling (DHC) systems, offers many economic and environmental benefits compared to conventional methods of energy production. By simultaneously producing thermal and electric energy from a single fuel source, such as natural gas or biogas, the systems require less total fuel to produce the same amount of energyand generate enormous cost-savings potential.

Because less total fuel is consumed, greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants are also reduced. In fact, CHP technologies are estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new power generation by more than 10 percent by the year 2030.

Cogeneration of energy on-site can also support corporate environmental goals for sustainability and use of renewable resources, while simultaneously reducing the dependence on other regions or countries for imported energy. By increasing energy efficiency and helping to offset costs, cogeneration can give businesses a competitive edge.

Heat Sources Provide Opportunities Cogeneration systems achieve more than 90 percent energy efficiency by extracting and using thermal energy produced during the generation of electricity, heat that would otherwise be wasted. Systems based on gas-fueled reciprocating engines include several potential heat sources, and the ideal use depends on aligning the heat requirements of the facility with the available heat sources on the system.

Exhaust gas, for example, reaches temperatures exceeding 450 degrees Celsius, hot enough to support an absorption chiller, which, in turn, creates cooling energy. Sources such as the lube oil, jacket water or high temperature air/fuel mixture, on the other hand, reach temperatures closer to 90 to 200 degrees C, which makes them ideal for industrial processes, drying processes, building heat and steam production. Other heat sources below 90 degrees C include the low-temperature air/fuel mixture, calorific value boiler and radiator, which are ideal for drying processes, underfloor heating and return temperature heat.

When using all the available heat sources, a cogeneration system from MTU Onsite Energy can achieve overall efficiencies of up to 96 percenta best-in-class rating and a major improvement compared to conventional methods of energy production.

Site-Specific Factors To ensure optimal performance and efficiency, several factors must be considered before installing a cogeneration system.

Methane Number Most gasses are a mix of methane, hydrogen and other gas constituents. The methane number (MN) provides an indication of the gasses, tendency to knockor combust prematurelywhich can damage the engine. For example, pure hydrogen would have an MN of 0. A low MN signifies an extremely explosive gas with the potential to ignite before the spark plug fires, resulting in uncontrolled combustion. Pure methane (CH4), on the other hand, would have an MN of 100. Gasses with a high MN are less explosive, and therefore less likely to ignite before the spark plug fires, resulting in a more controlled combustion.

Natural gas has an MN of 80 to 90, making it ideal for controlled combustion. Gas composites (such as biogas) have an MN between 120 and 130. Understanding the knock resistance is important when specifying an engine for a gas-powered cogeneration plant.

Elevation Smart marathon runners train for the race conditions theyre going to runespecially if higher elevations are involvedotherwise, theyll never be able to catch their breath. Similarly, the altitude of an installation site can significantly influence the power output of a cogeneration system. As elevation increases, air density decreases, and engines need air to breathe.

When specifying a gas-powered cogeneration system for a high-altitude installation, proper preparation and planning are essential to avoid operating below the engines maximum power rating. For instance, a gas-powered MTU Onsite Energy Series 4000 cogeneration system can operate at full load in altitudes up to 6,700 feet without any derating simply by adjusting its turbocharger nozzle ring, which essentially enables the engine to take deeper breaths.

Temperature Like elevation, the ambient temperature of an installation site can significantly impact power output. This is because air volume increases as temperature rises. In warmer climates, if the ambient temperatures exceed a certain point, it can become difficult to provide the necessary volume of intake air for the engine to perform optimally, resulting in lower power output.

Cogeneration system manufacturers frequently offer different equipment models to account for these variations. And in some cases, the equipment will be installed in a temperature controlled (air conditioned) room to help offset the impact of excessive ambient temperatures.

Humidity Air humidity and dew point must also be carefully considered when specifying a cogeneration system. Dew point is the saturation temperature for water and air, the point at which water droplets begin to condense and form. This measure of moisture varies according to atmospheric pressure and humidity. To ensure maximum power output, specifications must include an analysis of humidity and its related dew point temperature based on the climate of the installation site, along with other factors such as methane number and type of gas. Similar to temperature, cogeneration system manufacturers frequently offer different equipment models to account for these variations.

The need for highly efficient electricity, heating and cooling is universal. Cogeneration is a powerful solution that can generate cost savings and environmental benefits just about anywhere in the world. A wide number of applications utilize cogeneration systems, including office buildings, condos, shopping centers, schools, community pools and dairy farms. The key to a successful cogeneration project is proper specification and planning, which should take into account climate- and site-specific factors such as methane number, elevation, temperature and humidity, in addition to thermal and electric requirements. While determining if a facility is an ideal candidate for CHP is an extensive process, exploring the option is a smart move for any facility with simultaneous needs for heat, cooling and electricity. The potential gains of CHP are too great to be ignored.

Author: Christian Mueller Gas Power Systems Sales Engineer, MTU Onsite Energy christian.mueller@mtu-online.com

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Cogeneration as a Universal Power Solution - Biomass Magazine

Nine students recently graduated from Surry Community Colleges Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program. Pictured from left are, front row, Cory Cockerham of State Road, HVAC Lead Instructor Stephen Hammond, John Hatcher of Dobson, Jed Whitaker of Mount Airy, Gerardo Carreon of Mount Airy; back row, Torrence Hubbard of Mount Airy, Arturo Pulido Jr. of Pilot Mountain, Parker Henry of East Bend, and David Anderson Jr. of King. Not pictured: Daniel Crutchfield of Mount Airy.

DOBSON Nine students recently graduated from Surry Community Colleges Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC) program.

The graduates were Arturo Pulido Jr. of Pilot Mountain; Gerardo Carreon, Daniel Crutchfield, Torrence Hubbard and Jed Whitaker, all of of Mount Airy; David Anderson Jr. of King, Cory Cockerham of State Road,, John Hatcher of Dobson, and Parker Henry of East Bend.

The colleges HVAC curriculum provides the basic knowledge to develop skills necessary to work with residential and light commercial systems. Topics of instruction include mechanical refrigeration, heating and cooling theory, electricity, controls and safety.

Students enrolled in HVAC courses at Surry gain hands-on experience working on the latest high efficiency equipment as well as older heating and air conditioning systems in order to fully prepare students for anything they might see in the professional field, the school said.

Surry offers an associate of applied science degree, a diploma, and a certificate option for those looking to study air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration.

Those who earn a diploma will be able to do preventive maintenance, service and repair, along with the installation of residential and light commercial systems. Degree graduates will also be able to demonstrate an understanding of systems selection and balance for advanced systems.

Many Surry HVAC graduates go on to work for companies specializing in HVAC or start a business of their own, the school said.

High school juniors and seniors can take HVAC classes tuition-free through the Career & College Promise dual-enrollment program. Registration is open for Fall 2017 classes. Students must register for fall classes before Aug. 1. Those classes start Aug. 15. For additional information contact Student Services at (336) 386-3264 or Surrys Lead Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology Instructor Stephen Hammond at (336) 386-3572 or [emailprotected]

Nine students recently graduated from Surry Community Colleges Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program. Pictured from left are, front row, Cory Cockerham of State Road, HVAC Lead Instructor Stephen Hammond, John Hatcher of Dobson, Jed Whitaker of Mount Airy, Gerardo Carreon of Mount Airy; back row, Torrence Hubbard of Mount Airy, Arturo Pulido Jr. of Pilot Mountain, Parker Henry of East Bend, and David Anderson Jr. of King. Not pictured: Daniel Crutchfield of Mount Airy.

http://mtairynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_HVAC-Grads.jpgNine students recently graduated from Surry Community Colleges Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology program. Pictured from left are, front row, Cory Cockerham of State Road, HVAC Lead Instructor Stephen Hammond, John Hatcher of Dobson, Jed Whitaker of Mount Airy, Gerardo Carreon of Mount Airy; back row, Torrence Hubbard of Mount Airy, Arturo Pulido Jr. of Pilot Mountain, Parker Henry of East Bend, and David Anderson Jr. of King. Not pictured: Daniel Crutchfield of Mount Airy.

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Mt. Airy News | Nine graduate from HVAC program - Mount Airy News

When Physical Plant Department (PPD) professionals with varying areas of expertise come together, amazing things can happen. PPD Engineering & Energy Services (E&ES) and the Area 1 maintenance group collaborated on an in-house project to upgrade the controls for the heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system at Dane Smith Hall, a 20-year-old building. For the first time, two PPD groups, carried out a large and complex project avoiding contractors, change orders and the complications that can occur while working with entities outside of the University.

This $130,000 project was designed by the engineers in E&ES and the installation was performed by electricians, HVAC technicians and plumbers employed by PPD. Overall, the final cost of the project was $6,000 lower than budgeted, even with the added scope of work due to cost savings.

When we realized we were going to save so much money, we were able to include a lot more upgrades to the building systems than we initially anticipated, said Tommy Tafoya, E&ES manager.

State-of-the-art Variable Frequency Drives, HVAC controls, 90 valves for zone controls and 12 energy valves were installed to improve the efficiency of the six air handlers located in Dane Smith Hall. Area 1 maintenance was also able to explore and document where every controller and valve was located while troubleshooting problem areas based on their knowledge of the buildings unique set of circumstances.

Richard Van Damme, master HVAC tech in Area 1, said it was a nice change to be involved in every aspect of the project because it allows for the maintenance group to have a better understanding of the new technology and how its working in the building.

Now we know where every access point is so we can get to the problem quicker and ultimately provide a better service to our students and staff, said Van Damme.

With the new technology, it is anticipated that the building will require less electricity, steam and chilled water from the Ford Utilities Center, the Universitys power plant.

The most expensive part of operating a building on a daily basis is moving air. In Dane Smith Hall, the air handlers were running at about 68 percent of full fan speed capacity before we upgraded the system, and now they are running at 47 percent. A huge reduction in energy costs, explained Tafoya.

Automated Logic Controls, the computer program used by PPD E&ES allows technicians to see all spaces in the building to monitor the temperatures and the details of how the air-handlers are functioning. From a remote site, technicians can see if a classroom is too hot or too cold and can adjust the temperatures from afar.

Consistent climate-controlled classrooms, energy efficiency, and a complete working knowledge of the buildings systems for maintenance are the main benefits of this project. Another unexpected benefit was the workers were able to coordinate the work with the building occupants and build positive relationships.

There were no complaints throughout the project from occupants because the PPD staff made sure to communicate effectively and work around the classroom schedules, offices and computer labs. Everyone was really impressed by the professionalism of PPD, said Mark Orgeron, UNM graduate student and program coordinator in the UNM Provost office.

E&ES and Area 1 maintenance will begin their next collaborative project to upgrade the HVAC system at the Continuing Education building this summer.

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In-house PPD project saves time, money - UNM Newsroom

A tree crashed through Bill and Katherine Trainors kitchen in spring 2016 and expedited their plans to renovate.

When it happened, the couple was on a trip to Asia, but their architects arrived at their intown Atlanta bungalow within hours and surveyed the damage.

Instead of building up, the couple bumped out the back to create a new master suite and laundry room, along with a better flow for outdoor living. The new fixtures and furniture fit with the classic style the couple prefers in the home, which increased by about 500 square feet in the remodeling.

We were also deliberate about keeping it a one-story home to fit with the original home and the rest of the neighborhood, Katherine said.

>> Click here to see a gallery of their home <<

Snapshot

Residents: Bill and Katherine Trainor and their Shih Tzu, Bob. Bill is a Delta pilot; Katherine is a corporate, tax and estate planning attorney at MendenFreiman.

Location: Atlantas Channing Valley neighborhood in the Collier Hills area

Size: 1,638 square feet, three bedrooms, two baths

Year built/bought: 1950/2013

Architectural style: Midcentury ranch

Favorite architectural elements: Wide, open entrance with views to the backyard; French doors

Renovations: It began as a two-bedroom, two-bath home. With about $300,000 in renovations, they expanded the back to add a master suite with a walk-in closet and marble bathroom, plus a laundry room. They knocked down the wall separating the kitchen and living room. In the hallway connecting the original house to the addition, they created a small office/mudroom. They restained the floors, repainted, and added plantation shutters and smartphone-controlled speakers.

Design consultants:MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers], King Landscaping, Stephanie Bauer Oppenheimer

Interior design style: Mid-century modern with traditional accents

Favorite interior design elements: They tried to keep true to the 1950s period with renovation decisions such as the tile choices. We really wanted to make sure it looks like it could have been in the original home, Katherine said. A lot of those old homes had such beautiful tile work. That was important to keep that.

Favorite outdoor elements: They replaced the concrete walls with terraced Tennessee fieldstone boulder walls layered with plants to transform the concrete canyon into a sunken garden. Boulder steps now access a new upper lawn on the formerly overgrown and underutilized lot. The patio, which has a dining table and seating area, is outfitted with speakers and a TV that make it an outdoor living room. With the large French doors open, it truly feels like a continuation of the house and bonus square footage, Katherine said.

Resources: Ferguson (bathroom fixtures), Moda Floors & Interiors and Specialty Tile Products (tile), Affinity Stoneworks and Top South (countertops), BWI Wood Working and Kemper (cabinets), Top Knobs (hardware), The ShutterWorks (plantation shutters), Fernando Noriega (sound system/TV installation); The Container Store (Elfa shelving). Furniture from Room and Board, Scott Antique Markets, Pottery Barn, IKEA, West Elm, Chairish, RH, CB2, Brice Ltd. at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC), One Kings Lane and Ballard Designs.

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Tree crashing on kitchen spurs midcentury update in Collier Hills - MyAJC

DPR Construction buys midtown office building for redevelopment Sacramento Business Journal The building at 1801 J St. Enlarge. The building at 1801 J St. Ben van der Meer | Sacramento Business Journal. DPR Construction has bought a two-story, 26,872-square-foot office building in midtown Sacramento for redevelopment and future occupancy.

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DPR Construction buys midtown office building for redevelopment - Sacramento Business Journal

BBJ

Thursday, June 29, 2017, 10:20

Real estate developer Redwood Real Estate Holding has recently started construction on a speculative basis of the 5,000 square-meter, A+ category, LEED Platinum pre-certified Ecodome office building in the heart of Buda, according to a press release sent to the Budapest Business Journal by Cushman & Wakefield, representing the landlord.

The construction of the property is being carried out by Swietelsky, while international real estate advisor Cushman & Wakefield is acting as the exclusive leasing agent. Set to be delivered in Q2 2018, Ecodome is a fresh addition to the Central Buda office submarket, which has been struggling in recent years with no new stock delivered, the press release notes.

We are proud to be mandated with the exclusive leasing of this landmark building. The location and the high quality lets us foresee the speedy lease-up of the office areas as occupiers seek new space in the Central Buda submarket, said Tamara Sznt, Associate and Head of Office Agency at Cushman & Wakefield in Budapest.

The state-of-the-art Ecodome office building combines modernity with classic atmosphere. Our aim is to create an outstanding, super-green landmark project in this sought-after location. This building with all its features, services, amenities and social areas is the perfect accommodation for larger and smaller, local and international occupiers as well, added Blint Erdei, owner at Redwood Real Estate Holding (formerly known as B&L Estates).

Ecodome aims to create an inspiring and efficient working environment which is sustainable and costs less by applying energy-saving systems in accordance with the LEED Platinum Certificate. Among on-site services, Ecodome is set to provide a whole array of amenities, such as an in-house restaurant, rooftop terrace, bicycle parking with lockers and shower room, and charging points for electric vehicles.

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Ecodome office building construction begins - Budapest Business Journal

Conceptual drawing of proposed net-zero building the Sustainable Energy Fund plans to build in Schnecksville (Contributed)

The Sustainable Energy Fund of Upper Macungie Township today closed on the sale of a parcel of land in Schnecksville where it plans to construct a net-zero office building a building that produces as much or more energy than it uses.

The project is expected to cost about $4.5 million.

John Costlow, president and CEO of the fund, said a conceptual plan has been designed for a building that will use innovative technologies for lighting and heating the building and will be run on solar power.

Sustainable Energy Fund will occupy part of the space and will lease the remaining offices to local businesses.

The construction of this building will allow Sustainable Energy Fund to further promote and fulfill our mission and educational goals while allowing local businesses to be more sustainable, Costlow said.

The fund will put out a request for proposals for an architect to design the structure and a contractor to build it.

Construction is expected to take about two years.

Costlow said by having the organization in a net-zero building, he hopes to raise awareness for such building techniques.

He said the fund also hopes to use the building to educate the public on net zero technology by hosting educational sessions about the technology, as well as additional sessions on general sustainability on-site.

Writer and online editor Stacy Wescoe has her finger on the pulse of the business community in the Greater Lehigh Valley and keeps you up-to-date with technology and trends, plus what coworkers and competitors are talking about around the water cooler and on social media. She can be reached at stacyw@lvb.com or 610-807-9619, ext. 4104. Follow her on Twitter at @morestacy and on Facebook. Circle Stacy Wescoe on Google+.

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SEF buys land for $4.5M net-zero office building - Lehigh Valley Business

The efforts that go into designing a parking garage will likely never be acknowledged in the same way as the work that's done to bring a sparkling skyscraper out of the ground. However, the structures that are a fixture in most American cities serve a vital, practical need.

But the basic parking garage isn't so basic anymore, particularly because municipalities and the people who live near high-traffic and congested areas are insisting that developers envision their projects in such a way that will either encourage the use of mass transit or camouflage them so that they will be integrated as seamlessly as possible into the aesthetic of associated buildings and public gathering areas.

For instance, Seattle has chosen to steer development away from parking structures that tower over streets and sidewalks along with office buildings, residential high-rises and hotels, according to Phil Greany, construction executive at Mortenson'sSeattle office.

Seattle is in the midst of a tech company-driven building boom, and, according to Greany, those workers often want to live, work and play in the same neighborhood, so cars and parking are a secondary concern. Amazon employees, for example, who live near company headquarters can walk to and from work instead of driving.

The city has also reinforced the urban, walkable sensibility by encouraging developers to design with pedestrian access in mind and include features like "parklets" where on-street parking spaces would normally be located. Seattle promotes underground parking when possible, along with design that "camouflages" parking garages so that they can blend in with the greenery that lines many streets, according to Greany.

Along those lines, Al Carroll, executive vice president for McCarthy Building Companies' Southern California division, said that he is seeing the increased use of parking garage "wraps" when it comes to mid-rise, multifamily residential buildings. "The residential building wraps around the parking structure, concealing its exterior from view," he said.

Carroll noted, though, that because the floor-to-floor height of each level of the garage must usually match up with the relatively lower floor-to-floor height of a typical multifamily building, the design is sometimes not as efficient as a detached parking garage that is common next to an office building or some other commercial project.

However, some new parking garage design trends even mandates are easier to deliver than others.

Paul Commito, senior vice president of development at Brandywine Realty Trust, said that city planners in Philadelphia, where the company built the city's first elevated park on top of a University City-area parking garage, prefers below-grade parking.

The city wants its citizens to be less "parking-dependent" and requires developers of new parking structures to go through a special review process if they want to build a traditional, above-ground facility, according to Commito.

"The only problem is that the urban environment makes it almost prohibitively expensive to go underground with parking," he said.

Most owners, Carroll said, will try to keep the parking structure above-grade when the zoning and site conditions allow. "While integrating below-grade parking with an above-grade mixed-use [or] office facility results in a much smaller building footprint requiring less land use, it increases the cost of the subterranean parking component significantly, which is already at a high premium compared to above-grade structures," he said.

Another consideration when going underground with parking is the type of soil, according to Scott Desharnais, executive vice president at Moss Construction Management. "With the new soil-mixing technology, it has become more economically feasible to put parking underground. This has been particularly important in dense areas where land is scarce," he said.

Even so, Desharnais said that the deepest parking structures the company has seen are only two levels underground. "We could see basements go lower in the future as the soil-mixing technology becomes more common," he said. "For now, on most large buildings requiring a lot of parking, we will still normally see several floors above grade."

So, how does one make those above-ground, concrete parking garages more sustainable and slightly easier for forward-thinking city planners to accept? To put it simply, developers are turning them green with elements like electric car-charging stations, green space and solar power.

Commito said that because of the availability of a wide variety of transportation options in Philadelphia, the company's Cira Centre project, a transit-oriented, mixed-use commercial project along the Schuylkill River, was able to transform the top of the complex's parking garage into a park, as well as a stormwater management system and green roof.The park opened about a year and a half ago and has "proven to be well-received," Commito said.

Solar power and electric charging stations go hand-in-hand at a few of real estate development firm DANAC's parking garages. C.J. Colavito, director of engineering for Standard Solarwhich installed the solar panels on at least two of DANAC's parking structures said solar pays off financially for building owners, so it's not so much a case of trying to make a parking garage look better, but of making economic sense.

Electric car charging stations, though, are a different matter. "It's a chicken and egg situation," Colavito said. Employers might want to install them if they see their employees using them, but employees might not invest in an electric car if their employer puts a charging station in the parking facility. It's not a moneymaker like solar, he said, but more of a perk for the public and a building's tenants or workers.

Cities and local governments are playing a role in this area as well, Colavito said, because green initiatives like solar, stormwater and charging stations sometimes also come with sizeable grants that make including them in a project financially worthwhile.

So what does the future hold for the parking garage?

"The trend were seeing is that a greater proportion of the population is moving to cities [and] urban areas," Carroll said. This is going to require urban planners to make allowances for the increased population, and to determine how those extra people will move around an increasingly dense area in the most efficient way possible.

"Public transit and driverless vehicles will definitely cause some reduction in demand for structured parking facilities," he added, although driverless vehicle technology is still in the early stages of development.

Millennials will also influence the demand for parking spaces. This demographic, Carroll said, does not put as high a value on car ownership as older generations do, with many viewing it as a waste of time and resources. A significant portion would rather use mass transit or ride hailing services, he said, allowing them to be social during commutes and leaving the driving to someone else.

Some owners, he said, have anticipated the shift away from parking garages and are thinking about designing parking structures with greater floor-to-floor heights and other design elements that will allow them to repurpose the buildings into multifamily, retail, office and other types of mixed-use facilities in case parking demand starts to plummet.

Desharnais said his company has also seen the trend of fewer freestanding garages in favor of those that are integrated into a specific project. And with the help of car lifts, which allow two or three cars to be stacked into one space, the footprint of garages is shrinking as well.

However, the most impactful change to the future of parking structures, Desharnais said, will come from cities and local governments. "Most municipalities still require a certain amount of parking spaces for each residential unit," he said. "In the future, if they would relax this requirement, it could spur more urban development and discourage people from driving."

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What's driving the future of parking garage design? - Construction Dive

Construction on the 54,000-square-foot building will start in August at the site of the former State Farm Insurance building off Radio Drive and south of Interstate 94.

The project is scheduled to wrap up early 2018 as part of the office phase of the 100-acre CityPlace development.

The building will be located near the The Tria Orthopaedic Center, which is scheduled to open this summer.

The next stretch of construction, for which Council approved plans Jun 28, will include seven office buildings, a new restaurant space and the site's third hotel.

Minnesota Gastroenterology, a medical group specializing in treating gastrointestinal disorders, leased about one-third of the medical office building in early June.

The Woodbury site would be one of nine locations the group operates throughout Minnesota. Other offices are in Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Plymouth and St. Paul.

CityPlace developer Elion Partners completed the project's retail phase, which included the addition of Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings, and the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Excerpt from:
Woodbury council approves next CityPlace development phase - Woodbury Bulletin

The Department of Education should be able to move back into its office complex within a year, County Commissioners were told last week.

A construction manager and architect/engineering firm are in place for the project, so designs leading to the construction bid process can begin soon, said David Longmire, Director of Safety and Facilities for the county.

The central office building has been empty since July 2015 due to mold problems. Commissions facilities committee recommended that up to $1 million be set aside for renovation of the structure, but Commission took more of a first step approach with a $450,000 allocation.

McSpadden, Inc., is the construction manager for the renovation project. Longmire, County Mayor Alan Palmieri, County Finance Director Langdon Potts, and Commission Chairman Jimmy Carmichael serve on a committee directing the project.

The historic brick structure was built as a county jail at the same time as the 1845 courthouse next door. Last October, Commissioners agreed to use $450,000 in retainage funds from the high school construction project to remove mold from the building, replace the heating and air system, and hire a construction manager and engineer for the project. Other aspects of the up to $1 million project would be bid as alternates, to be decided on by Commission later.

The Education Department currently occupies the second floor of the First Tennessee Bank building in Dandridge. The County is paying $4,875 per month in rent.

Commission meets Thursday evening to vote on its over $100 million annual budget, which includes no property tax increase.

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Central Office work to begin soon - The Standard Banner