E.P.A. Building
135 Washington Ave.
Bay City, MI 48706
“ An Architecturally Significant Historic Building
Designed By Renowned Architect,
Albert Kahn”
Introduction
This architecturally unique building is a noted
and significant historic local landmark
located in downtown Bay City, Michigan. Designed by famed architect Albert
Kahn, it was
constructed in 1910. The building originally served as the corporate office for
the Industrial
Brownhoist Company which produced huge cranes and derricks on site (along
the riverfront)
for shipyards and railroads around the world. After Brownhoist operations
ceased, the
structure sat vacant for approximately ten years. In 1991, it was given a new
lease on life
when it was selected as the new home for the National Environmental Protection
Agency’s
new Supercomputing Center. Purchased by James E. Johnson, the building
was completely
renovated and technologically upgraded with state of the art HVAC, mechanical,
and
communications systems to accommodate the E.P.A.’s high tech needs. The
conversion
was successfully completed in record time and operations began in spring of
1992. In 1998
the federal government chose to consolidate their environmental operations to a
location in
North Carolina and the building was subsequently vacated.
The structure is extremely solid and modern in
every aspect. It has a huge amount
of power available yet operates at an impressive efficiency rate. Heating
and cooling are
more than adequate to handle any load or condition. Communications are
pre-wired, both
fiber and cable. High speed phone lines are available, both T1 and T3, and the
building
possesses both generator and battery capable back ups.
Physical Attributes
Building Size: 20,925 total square feet available.
Ceiling Height: 12 feet.
Stories: Three
Upper Floor Contains:
·
The classroom and visualization rooms each have
their own 10 ton air conditioning units.
The remainder of the floor has a 15 ton air conditioning unit. All
outside offices also
have individually controlled heat.
·
All spaces are pre-wired for a variety of
communications devices. Multiple locations to
accommodate different furniture locations.
· Chilled drinking fountains.
· All spaces have outlets that are UPS protected to accommodate PC’s.
· Entire floor is sprinkler protected.
Main Level Contains:
· A large 4,000+ square foot computer room.
o Room has four power distribution units, UPS protected.
o Loading dock facility directly into the computer room.
o An operations office connected to the computer room.
o A tape with its own ceiling mounted air conditioner.
o A 15 ton air conditioner supplies the balance of this floor.
o A communications area.
o A glass wall bordering the visitors center and viewing corridor.
o Raised floor has two feet clearance.
o
Room has dry, double interlock sprinkler system
above ceiling and
CO2 system under the floor.
o Fire control system.
o Emergency power off buttons.
· A Visitor’s Center.
o
Contains theatre seating for thirty people plus
handicap space for two
wheel chairs.
o Can accommodate projection TV plus two monitors and speakers.
o Has it’s own media booth.
o Has two communication closets.
o Glass wall of computer room, draped.
· Receptionist area.
· UPS protected outlets.
· Computer room viewing corridor.
· Storage closet.
· Handicapped accessible rest rooms.
· Drinking fountains.
Lower Level Contains:
· Loading and receiving area.
o Janitors closet.
o Restroom.
o Elevator mechanical room.
o Elevator.
· A storage room.
· A smaller storage room.
· Lawn sprinkler controls.
· Mechanical room.
o Two boiler pumps, fully redundant.
o Gas operated boiler.
o Two motor control centers.
o Air compressor for air actuated valves.
o Sprinkler system, wet and dry double interlocked.
o CO2 storage tanks.
o Dual telecomm rooms.
o Transformer and electrical distribution panels EM, EMR, and EMRA.
· Electrical Room.
o Main switch M1/M2 – feeds from two sub stations, automatic transfer switch.
o Two 750 KVA UPS modules.
o One UPS control.
o Two battery disconnects.
o Four computer grade air conditioners.
o Dry double interlock sprinkler protection.
o Fire control panel.
o Emergency power off buttons.
o Electrical distribution panels C, P1, P1A, A1, A2.
· Battery Room.
· Outside:
o Large, lighted parking area.
o Landscaped grounds.
o Underground sprinkler system.
o Two, 250KVA transformers.
o Two lighted sign locations.
Environmental
Present/Past Use: Previously utilized by the EPA
Surrounding Land Use: The surrounding land is used for commercial, retail, and office space.
Studies/Issues: There are no studies on file per MEDC.
Infrastructure
Roads/Service Roads: All are class A roads.
Sewer: The building is serviced by the municipal system.
Water: “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Gas: Consumers Energy supplies gas for the building.
Electric: The city of Bay City provides electric service to the building.
Fiber Optics: Ameritech supplies high-speed phone lines and T1 and T3 cable is available.
Transportation
Main Truck Routes/Interstate Access: I-75 is
within two miles of downtown Bay City.
US 10 and M-25 run into downtown Bay City as well.
Distance to Air: MBS International Airport, Saginaw – 8 miles.
Rail: There is no rail available.
Approx.
Distance to Major Markets: Detroit Metro Region is 104 miles to most
points.
Grand Rapids – 120 miles southwest.
Lansing is 82 miles south.
Chicago is 296 miles southwest.
Zoning/Local Services
Zoning: The building is zoned Office/Business.
Restrictions/Easements: There are none.
Police: Bay City Police Department.
Fire: Bay City Fire Department.
School
District: Bay City Public Schools.
The following comprises certain
excerpts from the Bay City “Cool City” Grant application
and dramatically illustrate the current growth and tremendous economic
development the city in
general and the downtown area specifically (in which the 135 Washington building
is located) are experiencing. The following are included for your review:
1. Bay City Downtown Development and Urban Design Plan.
2. 48 Acre Development – “Uptown at Rivers Edge”. **Includes 135 Washington Ave**
3. Other Current Development Projects Downtown.
4. Catalyst Project Description Map.
