We have been working with Green River College since 2007, providing electrical engineering for new buildings as well as minor upgrades around the campus.

Named for Green River College’s founding President, the Mel Lindbloom Student Union is a 71,000 SF facility that consolidated the student amenity functions into one building, including the campus bookstore, café and kitchen, a theater, fitness studios, a basketball court, a game room, and space for student offices, study area, conference rooms.

The high-priority project replaced the structurally unsound, 36-year old complex that was in violation of multiple codes and would likely not make it through an earthquake. The building had undergone many ad hoc fixes over the years, yet was still failing to meet the needs of the students and the college in providing a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment. Students voted to help fund the new facility through a self-imposed additional fee that covered 45% of the construction costs.

Key features in the building include a grand staircase for student gathering, various seating options, and gender-inclusive restroom facilities.

The variety of new spaces each required their own unique design elements that had to be coordinated into the overall building theme and design. We provided the electrical engineering as well as LEED documentation for the project, including new electrical and communication services into the remaining basement, which kept the facility operational. We also designed sustainable elements in support of the project’s bid for LEED Silver certification and a more efficient and cost effective useful building life. Measures such as all new LED light fixtures with automatic daylight control systems for those located adjacent to windows save 20 to 30% in energy consumption and help reduce maintenance costs, since re-lamping is not required. Additional electrical systems included exterior lighting, door access infrastructure, clock systems, and the fire alarm system.