Cowlitz County to seek funding authorization for Hall of Justice HVAC and electrical overhaul

Millig Design Build presented detailed results of bidding and preconstruction work for a planned HVAC, controls and electrical upgrade at the Hall of Justice building and asked the Board of County Commissioners to schedule a funding authorization to allow contracts to be drafted and long-lead equipment to be ordered.

The project aims to reduce the building's high operating costs (staff said electricity alone exceeds $200,000 annually), address life-safety risks tied to recalled Federal Pacific electrical panels, improve occupant comfort and replace an obsolete, proprietary controls system. Millig reported competitive bids and a guaranteed maximum price package that keeps the project slightly under the board's August 2023 $9 million budget target, with a projected net cost to the county of about $8.375 million after preliminary incentive estimates.

Lauren Donnelly of Millig told commissioners, "we are under budget," and described the scope as a full HVAC replacement (rooftop condensing units and air handlers, duct modifications, refurbishment of the perimeter hydronic heating system), replacement of recalled Federal Pacific panels and main…