Resolution approving the plans, specifications, form of contract and cost estimate for Mid-America Center Cooling Towers.  Project #BM25-02

The cooling towers for the Mid-America Center arena and convention center were installed when the building was new in 2002. The cooling towers are part of the facilities cooling system, and are used to disperse heat created by the chillers for the building. The cooling towers have reached the end of their useful life and are deteriorating. This deterioration causes sediment to build up in the system which slows the water flow.  The sediment can plug the evaporator stopping water flow completely. This also causes the feed pipes within the tower to wear out, which makes compartments in the tower unusable.  The reduced efficiency and continued deterioration of the system will lead to failures of the cooling tower shells leaving the system without the ability to cool the facility.

The work includes replacement of the cooling towers, associated piping, pump motors, controls, wiring, the addition of a grit separator to reduce future issues within the system, and the addition of variable frequency drives to modulate the pump motors to increase the efficiency of the system and reduce operating costs. The new towers will have the lower sections made of stainless steel and the piping that is replaced outside will be HDPE material to prevent the future need for replacement. 

The estimated cost of this project is $799,825.00 which includes $52,325.00 for professional services provided by ETI.  The project is included in the FY25 CIP with funding from GO bonds and the General Fund - Gaming.

Approval of this resolution. This project includes the replacement of the cooling towers and the addition of energy efficient equipment to provide the continued use of the facility, and to reduce utility costs.