Eight years ago, the staff of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan moved out of their century-old building at 1204 Grandville Avenue because it was decaying around them. The building sat vacant until last month, when it reopened as a newly renovated and energy efficient facility that once again houses the Hispanic Center.
“We had, basically, the neighborhood icon that was deteriorating in the center of the neighborhood,” said Mary Angelo, director of the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association.
Because the RPNA’s mission is to do capital campaign projects in the neighborhood on behalf of other organizations, they raised the $1.3 million needed to rehab the 6,300-square-foot building. Part of that money was provided by a $100,000 Cool Cities grant.
The building was built in 1913 as Grand Rapids Fire Station No. 12, and was an active fire station until the 1970s. That’s when the Hispanic center bought the property.
“The building was in a very advanced state of decay,” said Nate Gillette, an architect at Bazzani Associates, the company who renovated the building. “We had to gut the building to the shell and start over.”
In addition to replacing the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, a large section of the second floor, part of which had been a hayloft back when fire wagons were pulled by horses, was reframed and leveled. That area is now a community space with meeting rooms. An elevator to the second floor provides handicap accessibility. Office space was created on the first floor.
“The project was designed to be energy efficient,” Gillette said.
Low flow water fixtures, and energy efficient lighting and mechanical equipment are some of the energy saving features. The thermal envelope of the building is insulated to maintain indoor temperatures, and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints, carpeting, and caulk was used to enhance indoor air quality. In addition, energy recovery ventilators were installed so heated and cooled air is not lost to the outdoors.
Five rain gardens will absorb all the stormwater runoff on the site, making the property the city’s second location with zero stormwater runoff. The East Hills (Center of the Universe) on Lake Drive, also by Bazzani Associates, was the first.
The building is expected to receive Silver or Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
On December 8, Hispanic Center staff will host an Open House from 4 PM to 8 PM.
Source: Nate Gillette, Bazzani Associates; Mary Angelo, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
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