Bids for the remodel and expansion of GRANCO Federal Credit Union’s main facility in Ephrata were opened on March 20, 2014. Baker Construction & Development of Spokane was the lowest responsible bidder with a bid of $1,234,137, including alternates. This was 1% below Driftmier’s cost estimate prepared in February 2013. The Credit Union has now awarded the contract to Baker, which expects to start work before the end of April.
The project will add 2,400 SF to the 5,700 SF building with an addition on the east end of the building towards Alder Street. The existing building will be remodeled and site improvements will be made including reconfiguration of the parking and a new driveway to Alder Street.
The addition will include management and loan offices, clerical functions and a new boardroom. Remodel of the existing space will open up the lobby with new clerestory windows, new teller line, entry porch and canopy, and a new drive-through canopy. All lighting fixtures will be LED rather than incandescent or fluorescent, and interior space will be reconfigured to help Credit Union staff better serve members. The interior will also be completely redone with contemporary colors and durable materials that support the GRANCO brand and corporate colors. Along with the addition and new clerestory roof and canopies, the building will get a complete new look including a stone wainscot below horizontal bevel siding and craftsman style trusses and detailing.
Ephrata, which many people consider to be in a desert, is also in a flood plain. Negotiations with FEMA resulted in a number of measures to protect the building from flash floods. These include flood proofing the building facade three feet up and down from finished grade with flood dams installed externally at each entry door. The basement of the building will be retrofitted per FEMA with all existing mechanical and plumbing equipment moved to the main floor and all existing electrical work tied to ground fault circuit interrupters.
The Credit Union will remain open during normal business hours throughout the project. However, some limited temporary closures may be required during the electrical conversion or other specific work. The Credit Union will keep members apprised of the situation.
Consultants for the project are B&T Engineering of Issaquah (structural), Don Baker of Wells & Wade Mechanical of Wenatchee (mechanical), Erlandsen Engineers of Wenatchee (survey), Dimensional Building Consultants of Bellevue (building envelope) and Jamie Van de Vanter Group of Redmond (landscape architect).
Driftmier’s Project Manager, Arnold Morrison, expects construction to be completed in the fall of 2014.