All of the work to be performed is within the City of Ukiah and consists of a tenant improvement of an existing 15,800 square foot unconditioned warehouse building of type V-A construction. Situated along highway 101 in Ukiah surrounded by nearby pear orchards, the building was originally constructed in 1999 as an agricultural storage warehouse. The facility (The Electric Service Center) is to house and centralize the Ukiah Electric Utility Department’s electrical operations and administrative offices for Engineering, Construction and Technical Services. In addition, the Department intends to use the Electric Service Center for training, material warehousing and construction preparation.
On August 5, 2020, the City Council adopted the plans and specifications for the grading, fencing, roofing and electric equipment relocation. This work was completed on March 2, 2023. On the morning of March 8, 2023, a fire broke out at the core of the building in the existing bathroom beneath the main stair to the second level. The source of the fire was the electrical failure of a bathroom ceiling fan. The automated sprinkler went off throughout the building and The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority responded to the incident and was successful in extinguishing the fire. However, significant smoke and water damage occurred, as well as structural damage to the building’s main floor core and second level, including some exterior walls and roofing. On April 7, 2023, all Fire remediation work as a part of a separate contract with West Coast Fire and Water remediation specialists was completed.
In addition to the repair of some exterior siding, replacing windows and roofing at the second level, the exterior of the building will receive a new front entry awning, updated exterior lighting fixtures and the existing metal roll up doors will be replaced with new glazed storefront doors and windows at the new administrative office and showroom portion of the building.
The interior of the building will be repaired where required due to smoke and water damage and renovated to accommodate a new showroom, conference room, individual & shared offices, break room with kitchenette, restrooms, mezzanines, warehouses, a workshop area and storage rooms on the main level and repair of the main stair and entire second level. The interior renovation includes a new building HVAC system, new lighting, electrical outlets, and plumbing throughout. Three existing mezzanine structures will be demolished and replaced with two new mezzanines. Two existing warehouse bays will remain as storage areas for equipment.
