FIRST SECURITY BANK
(Apr 2023 – Oct 2024)
First Security Bank opened its new Dearborn Branch in October 2024. This project utilized Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a wood panel system that is gaining popularity in the U.S. after being widely adopted in Europe. The stability, strength, and rigidity of CLT allows it to be used in mid-and high-rise buildings. CLT is often utilized for its ability to store carbon and the smaller environmental footprint. Cross-Laminated Timber offered an interesting challenge to Valley Electrical Contracting on this project with regard to routing conduits for lighting, power, data, security, and Building Automation. The three-story building has two distinct wings connected by a central open atrium. The building also includes a sophisticated smoke control system in the atrium with smoke curtains that drop on a fire event.
The First Security Bank project included a 60KW generator for selective backup power throughout the building. The project utilized a 1200A, 3-phase service and featured distributed lighting control. The building includes an addressable fire alarm system, security/access control, and a significant telecommunications system to support bank operations and typical office space use.
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY
(July 2014-Dec 2015)
The new Northwestern Energy General Office Building is a six-level, 110,000 square foot LEED office building at Park Street and Main Street in historic uptown Butte, Montana. The new office building is the home of 220 Northwestern employees and serves as the company’s Montana headquarters. The new building replaced the previous general office building in Butte at 40 East Broadway that served the company for more than a century. This project was the largest uptown project in Butte America in decades.
Features inside the building include basement employee fitness rooms, lockers and showers, records and general storage. The main floor has an education center, auditorium seating for up to 300 people and is open for public events, the main lobby, a security desk, the mailroom and office spaces. The upper floors consist primarily of office spaces.
The Northwestern Energy General Office building has emergency backup power to the majority of the building, utilizing a 750-KW Generator. The building includes a 2,000-amp 480Y/277 electrical service. Other electrical highlights include an integrated lighting control system that includes dimming, scene control, and day-light harvesting throughout the building. LED lighting is utilized throughout the building. Intensive cabling is included throughout the building for the building’s networking, telephone, public address, and building sound capabilities.
TOWN PUMP – POLSON
(Mar 2013-Feb 2014)
This project was a remodel to the existing building. The casino area was demolished and replaced with a new deli, bathrooms, freezers, coolers, and a new office area. Existing 225amp panels were replaced by new panels. The deli prep area consisted of kitchen equipment including new hoods and an Ansul System. Coordination was crucial in keeping the existing facility operational during construction. Shutdowns (required to upgrade the fuel system monitoring and transfer of power to new electrical panels) were coordinated with the owner allowing the 24/7 store to endure minimal impact.
FIRST INTERSTATE BANK
(Nov 2007 – Dec 2009)
First Interstate Bank Tower project was a Gross Maximum Price project. Through the coordination efforts of Valley Electrical Contracting (VEC), Gordon Construction (CM), the MEP team, and the design team, VEC was able to reduce the value of the contracts and provide the Owners a substantial savings over the original budget costs. This project consisted of the construction of a six-story (eight levels) building in downtown Missoula. This was a LEED project and included the completion of all services for the entire building. Additionally, the project included the tenant improvement of all but one level of the building. The structure included a new 2,500 amp electric service, access controls throughout the building; including coordination between multiple tenants, fire alarm system, multiple lighting control systems, a 200KW backup generator, and various banking systems.
