Vermeer Central Utility Plant (CUP)

The Vermeer central utility plant (CUP) was built to provide chilled water to multiple buildings on the Vermeer campus. Currently, the CUP serves New Plant 7. Building Information Modeling (BIM) was the key tool employed in the project, beginning with the November 2019 presentation to Mortenson through shop fabrication and field installation. From day one, the virtual model was used as the team brought together multiple facets of this tightly timed project to enable all involved to see, understand, manage and build the central utility plant from concept to reality.

Innovative Design-Build Approach Benefits Vermeer in Many Ways 
Modular construction and installation of all interior assemblies and precast concrete meant that the CUP was manufactured offsite. This allowed for an expedited schedule and increased quality control with zero rework. Precast construction of the building shell translated into time and money savings and provided the owner with a durable façade that matches other new construction on Vermeer’s campus. The design-build team was able to perform all design, mechanical, electrical, automation and technology functions in-house with no hand-offs which meant reduced risk for Vermeer. Pre-planned expansion is built into the design. Initially, the plan for CUP was to provide chilled water for comfort cooling but over time the plant will also serve process load as required. The central utility plant is capable of expansion to 6,000 tons of cooling at the same price as a traditionally built 4,400-ton plant.

Challenges Presented by COVID-19 Faced Head On 
The 10-month project began in February right before the pandemic began in March. This presented several unprecedented challenges that Baker Group had to work and plan to overcome. Because of all the prefabrication work done on this project, we were able to keep the crew size at less than half of traditional construction sizes meaning reduced risk for the crews on site.

Three miles of electrical conduit, 10 miles of electrical wire, five weeks of large piping pre-fabrication, 1,507 lineal feet of piping inside the CUP and 4,000 facemasks later, the construction was completed on time and on budget in the middle of the pandemic. This is a testament to the planning, partnerships and design-build team that was assembled to be stewards of Vermeer’s money and resources.