The new operations center allows the PUD to improve response time for power restoration.
A Center for Response
Seismically designed for ‘Immediate Occupancy’ for post earthquake power restoration.
All eyes on the board. The Snohomish County PUD needed to improve its response ability for restoring power to its 333,000 electric customers. Reid Middleton provided structural engineering for the design of a 32,000 SF, three-story addition to the existing PUD Operations Center. The project also included seismic upgrade of portions of the existing 44,000 SF, one-story Operations Center building to Immediate Occupancy standards. Since the building is used to coordinate post-earthquake restoration of power to thousands of PUD customers, essential facility criteria was used for the design. The design included seismic enhancements that weren’t yet mandatory in the existing building code. Upgrades to the existing Operations Center building included new, internal CMU shear walls, diaphragm connections, and drag struts to carry load to the seismic-resisting system.
