Federal Energy Block Grant Boosts Efficiency of Local Buildings
by Mary Tyndall, Community Development PIO
October 2012
by Mary Tyndall, Community Development PIO
October 2012
Thanks to a block grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, three Fort Wayne buildings are now safer and more energy efficient.
In 2008, the City of Fort Wayne received a $2.47 million Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enacted in 2009 to help stimulate the economy. All the work paid for with those dollars is now complete.
“This grant allowed the City of Fort Wayne to make critical upgrades to heating, cooling and lighting systems at three public buildings,” said Heather Presley-Cowen, director of the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services, the department that administered the grant. “By using the grant dollars, the City saved local taxpayers the immediate cost of upgrading the systems and at the same time provided long-term cost-savings on utility bills.”
The bulk of the work was completed at Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St. Approximately $1.72 million was used to bring all the mechanical systems up to current code, to increase the capacity of the heating and cooling systems to accommodate a larger number of people working in the building, and to upgrade lighting to make it more energy efficient.
The grant also helped pay for upgrades to Fire Station #1, 419 E. Main St. A little more than $500,000 was spent on upgrades to heating and cooling systems, energy efficient windows and energy efficient lighting. The work also ensured that Fire Station #1 now meets new mechanical codes requiring additional outside air ventilation. The work helped save approximately $5,600 annually on utility bills for the fire station.
“An added benefit of the $2.47 million grant was the boost it gave to the local and national economy,” said Presley-Cowen. “All general contractors and design consultants who worked on the projects were based in Fort Wayne. Additionally, at least 95 percent of all the materials used in the upgrades were made in the United States.”
Science Central, 1950 N. Clinton St., was the last project to be funded. For approximately $214,000, the heating and cooling systems were upgraded and lighting was replaced to be more energy efficient.
“The grant had an interesting two-angle value to Science Central,” stated Martin S. Fisher, executive director of Science Central. “Obviously, the cost savings are important to us as a community-based educational and cultural attraction. Science Central is a non-profit. Saving a little money on utilities allows us to use a little more money on our hands-on exhibits or interactive programs. However, and maybe more importantly, it’s mission-based for us. It’s an educational opportunity! We teach our visitors about natural sciences such as environmental resources, and physical sciences, such as energy. Now, with these new green technologies, we have the opportunity to show our visitors applied sciences. In other words, we’re showing real-world connections!”
