Alagasco is renovating and renaming its Midtown Business Center.  The new name of the facility will be the Midtown Business and Technology Center.  This location serves as the primary commercial office for Alagasco’s Birmingham operations, and its meeting facilities have been a popular location for numerous civic activities the company supports.  Starting in April, work will begin to renovate the meeting room area of the building into a technology center.  This renovation project is scheduled to be completed in October.  Alagasco is also pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification with the changes being made to the building.     

When the project is complete, the new space will be a state-of-the-art showplace for demonstrating the benefits of commercial foodservice equipment, tankless water heating technology and desiccant dehumidification and heating technology.  One unique feature, a natural gas, solar water heating system connected to a high-efficiency natural gas water heater will be installed and used for demonstrations.   The Center will be used to train and educate energy decision makers, culinary professionals, architects and engineers, company employees and the general public. 

“The Midtown Business and Technology Center is going to be a wonderful addition to our company, our industry and our community,” said Alagasco President Dudley Reynolds.  “We are going to be able to train, demonstrate and display the latest commercial natural gas technology.  The other exciting aspect of this project is that we plan to design the space for LEED certification.  The LEED certification will demonstrate our commitment to the environment and the responsible use of energy.” 

Training will be the central focus of the Midtown Business and Technology Center.  Energy decision makers will attend commercial equipment demonstrations in the new space, and Alagasco employees will use the facility to learn about new commercial equipment.  The Center will also be available for area chefs and national account customers to train their staff about the benefits and unique features of natural gas commercial cooking equipment.  The facility will feature new commercial gas-fired equipment that is installed and operational for end-user observation. 

The renovation project area is 5,500 square feet.  The entire look and atmosphere of the space will be different once the renovation is complete.  Community and civic groups will still be able to use the space for meetings.  The entrance of the technology center portion of the building will be enhanced.  A new covered porch area will extend the length of the renovated area which will allow for multiple entrances.
 
Williams-Blackstock has been chosen as the architect, and Taylor & Miree Construction has been chosen as the general contractor for this project.  Some of the equipment that will be featured in the Midtown Business and Technology Center will be Eco Tech Plus Pressure Steamer, PK Wethermaster Outdoor Boiler, Rinnai Hydronic Air Handler, Searmaster Charbroiler and other new equipment as it becomes available.