Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric was proud to be selected as the electrical and low voltage designer and contractor for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance office building in downtown Cedar Rapids. This design-build project saw the conversion of a former IMAX Theater to 18,000 square feet of office space in a very short timeframe. The visually-stunning facility was designed and constructed to facilitate collaboration and serves as a showcase for the CRMEA to use in supporting business, economic and community development.
Paulson Electric-Cedar Rapids Solar PV Array -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric installed a 20.7kw solar photovoltaic array on the roof of its Cedar Rapids office, producting one-third of the company's annual energy usage.
The array consists of 90 solar panels attched to the roof using what is believed to be the only ballast-mount system in the state of Iowa.
The system leads to a net meter and the office's main electrical panel. The array is expected to produce better than a seven year return on investment after federal and state tax credits and bonus depreciation.
Paulson Electric provides solar photovoltaic design and installation services. This includes site assessment, design, installation, monitoring and maintenance. We have worked with not-for-profit and other entities securing financing to maximize return on investment. Paulson Electric also provides owner's representative and project manager services throughout the design and installation process.
Roshek Building Rehabilitation -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric was proud to be chosen as a partner in the design and construction of the Roshek Building Rehabilitation in Dubuque, Iowa. The Roshek Building Rehabilitation is the largest and most complex sustainable rehabilitation project ever to take place in the City of Dubuque. Paulson Electric had 25 years knowledge of the building, and the experience of our team ensured we met or beat all design and construction deadlines.
The building was also certified LEED Core and Shell Platinum, the only historic renovation project in Iowa to acheive the status.
The Roshek Building Rehabilitation was quick-paced and challenging with only five months separating the start of the project and IBM's occupation of the building. The project called for a complete overhaul of over 250,000 square feet including nine floors above grade, a lower level and a sub-basement. The Roshek Building's owner, Dubuque Initiatives Inc., and partners including the City of Dubuque, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, Gronen Restoration, architect Jeffrey Morton and the project management team worked closely to make this project a showcase for increasing sustainability in Dubuque.
McGraw Hill Regional Headquarters -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric teamed to design and build McGraw Hill Company's newest office complex in Dubuque, Iowa, completing the project in 2007. Paulson Electric led the electrical design team whose work earned the multi-story office building LEED Silver certification. The Paulson Electric-led team suggested numerous energy-saving measures. Installing metering equipment on lighting and mechanical equipment to measure energy usage and changing heat pumps for boilers were two examples of energy-saving measures. The McGraw Hill building also utilizes lighting controls, adding to the energy savings. These green measures decrease the building's long-term cost and impact on the environment.
PEC Communications (PEC) was also an integral part of the design and construction team, installing nearly 100 miles of cable, 3,000 data connections and 600 fiber optic connectors. Teaming with both McGraw Hill and the general contractor, PEC utilized leading-edge technologies to provide a complete turn-key project, including data, voice, sound, fire protection and video cabling in a timely and safe manner. Partnering with manufacturers, PEC coordinated the complex logistics of the fast-paced project, rose to meet daily challenges and provided a certified warranty to protect McGraw Hill’s investment for 25 years.
Paulson Electric & PEC Communications Cedar Rapids Office -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric & PEC Communications recently moved to a new office and warehouse in Cedar Rapids. The office and warehouse were constructed using green building techniques and incorporated many LEED characteristics. The result is an office complex that decreases energy consumption and increases the life of the structure.
Paulson Electric & PEC Communications installed high-efficiency fluorescent lighting in their warehouse. High-efficiency fluorescent lighting provides significant energy savings over traditional fluorescent lighting. Tax credits are often available for retrofitting traditional lighting. Warehouse lighting is also connected to occupancy sensors by zones, reducing energy consumption by only lighting occupied areas.
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications also installed occupancy sensors to control interior office lighting. Sensors in each room are programmed to turn off the lights if it remains unoccupied for five minutes. Automatic shut-off reduces the amount of energy consumed and removes the possibility of an occupant forgetting to turn off lights when leaving the office for the day. Industry information shows energy savings of 30%, reducing building operating costs by 10% or more.
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications chose geothermal heating and cooling and a white roof for their new office/warehouse complex. Both investments show return through decreased energy consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates energy usage to coll a building can be cut in half by installing a white roof. The new office also has an electric car charging station, so make sure to stop by if you need to fill up!
Iowa Theater Building-Theatre Cedar Rapids -
Design/Build
Paulson Electric and PEC Communications were proud to be part of the design/build team for the renovation of the 81 year old Iowa Theater Building, home to Theatre Cedar Rapids, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Iowa Theater Building was destroyed by flood waters in the summer of 2008. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications designed and constructed electrical and data systems for the auditorium, three floors of office space, lounge, concession, dressing room, rehearsal space and all public areas. Paulson Electric and PEC Communications worked closely with the design team to develop the system for each space that achieved the level of performance required by Theatre Cedar Rapids. Paulson Electric installed color wash kinetics LED fixtures in the lounge that wash the walls with programmable colored light. We also worked closely with the theatrical and sound designers to provide the necessary infrastructure for their equipment.