Archives

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Turns 90

Over the course of time a building undergoes many changes. Design, personnel, infrastructure and technology are in a constant state of flux. So when the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago proudly announced the celebration of their 90th anniversary, the Chief Engineer Magazine decided to take a closer look at this magnanimous building.

To fully comprehend the immense changes this building has undergone, and continues to undergo, we need to start at the beginning.

Sitting at the corner of LaSalle & Jackson, in Chicago, Illinois, this building of neoclassical design was completed in 1921. Corinthian colonnades rising 65 feet into the air tell a tale of dignity and strength as one enters the building. With 16 floors and 550,000 square feet of space, the building was considered an “architectural marvel”, having the largest vaults ever constructed during this time and an intercommunication system throughout the building.

This served the banking community well for many years. But as the 1950s approached, and the population of the city swelled, the bank found itself in need of more space. In 1954 the purchase of two adjoining buildings added an additional 180,000 square feet of space. This served them well until, once again, the bank found itself in need of more space and major renovations to keep up with modern technology. With nowhere to go in terms of acquiring adjoining property, and not wanting to move out of the city, the Bank decided upon a renovation of the existing 820,000 square feet of space they already had and the construction of a 14-story, 165,000 square foot addition.

To facilitate this new addition, many changes in the infrastructure of the existing lobby were designed. A grand staircase located in the lobby that had been a major attraction since the opening of the building, was to be removed to create an open air environment, giving visitors a breathtaking view of the original chandeliered lights and ornate marble and granite finishes that spoke of the luxury within. The latest change, and certainly not to be the last, is the addition of a 10,000 square foot Visitor’s Center, allowing the visiting public to come in and take an interactive look at the inner workings of the Federal Reserve Bank.

The Visitor’s Center boasts of a new auditorium, complete with theatre documenting the history of the banking industry and how the Federal Reserve operates. Have you ever seen a million dollars up close? Most likely not, but if you visit the FRB you will. A glass cube propped up on one corner holds one million dollars in singles for your viewing pleasure (and daydream delights). Coins of every type issued are on display in a recessed case located in the floor, highlighted with bright neon lights. Think you can tell the difference between counterfeit and real money? Try your hand and see how good you are. This and many other interactive displays document the many inner workings of this grand business.

We met that day with Chief Engineer Matt McKee and Buildings Operations Manager Michael Sutton. Mike was quick to point out that his building had received the 2003 TOBY (The Office Building of the Year) Award for the Best Government Building. “This is a big honor,” he told us. “We were confident that we were doing a great job. All of our internal data indicated that things were on track. Expenses have decreased significantly, employee morale is high and the facility looks terrific. But to have an outside organization as prominent as BOMA come in and validate our work is really gratifying.”

And the changing numbers can be attributed to facility improvements made over the last three to four years. According to Matt, these changes included but were not limited to organizational changes, cost reductions, cultural development and on-going training of the staff.

Energy conservation has become a priority for the staff of this building. All equipment operation schedules and equipment selections are made with an eye for efficiency. An Invensys Network 8000 Building Automation System optimizes fans, chilled water usage, hot water temperatures and monitors outside air to ensure that the building is run at the most cost-effective operation possible. As the FRB converts to Direct Digital Control (DDC), each occupied space will be monitored so that temperatures are regulated upon occupancy. Variable speed motor technology is being utilized, including the recent installation of a Metropolitan Pump VSD domestic water booster pump system. All of these improvements have allowed the FRB to reduce operating costs and thus achieve their lowest energy bill on record. “This has been a big accomplishment for us,” Matt concluded. “Currently our average monthly electrical invoice is approximately 32% less than its high point from a couple of years ago”. Only better ratings can be in store for them in the future. Each year two floors of the FRB undergoes renovation. This includes installation of the DDC controllers and the replacement of T12 fluorescent lights with T8 and incandescent lighting throughout.

The FRB has become proactive in the recycling effort as well. With the lighting replacement ongoing, they have averaged recycling 900 fluorescent light bulbs monthly. After studying paper usage, the FRB calculated that they now recycle 35,000 pounds of paper per month. The study concluded that at year end 2002, the FRB Chicago had saved 4,929 trees, conserved 1,906,579 gallons of water and prevented 17,630 pounds of pollutants from release into the environment, leaving no doubt in the minds of conservationists that the FRB Chicago is doing its part in keeping this planet green.

One of the capital projects that have been undertaken is the upgrade of emergency power. The addition of one 1250 kW Patton Generator brings the total number of generators to four. Of these, one is dedicated to life safety equipment including emergency lighting, exit signs, security cameras, alarms, card access system and five emergency automatic transfer switches. The other three are electrically paralleled to provide redundancy for the Bank critical load. The installation of an Asco Paralleling Switchgear Control System allows the staff to monitor each of the generators, and to determine whether one or all three of them will supply power. Each generator’s radiator is glycol cooled, has its own exhaust fan and is run on diesel gas. A redundant Liebert Uninterruptible Power Supply was added to replace the old system. Paralleled UPS modules and their battery strings leaves the FRB with the satisfaction of knowing that their electrical power is secure.

Brought in by helicopter through the roof, Midwest Helicopter and Skycrane made over 30 lifts to accomplish this task. With safety issues at the forefront of everyone’s mind, semi-annual power outage simulations are conducted. Staff and tenants alike take the time to understand how the system works to benefit them and evaluations of the system and practices are made in order to facilitate any changes that may be necessary.

In addition, a new Fire Alarm and Life Safety System with redundant risers and battery backup was installed. Because communication in an emergency is of great importance, visual and life safety speakers were installed on every level of the building. Direct communication with each of the 30 elevators enables tenants to speak directly to safety personnel in the Command Center in the event of an emergency.

Electrical power is supplied from two different substations, feeding electricity to three different switchboard rooms. The chiller plant consists of 1-600 and 1-650-ton York centrifugal chillers and 2-500 ton centrifugal Carrier chillers. Redundancy in the event of an emergency is provided by ten reciprocating 70-ton Carrier units which can be run on generator power.

And who takes care of all of this equipment? A staff of ten engineers and three trainees is complemented by fourteen electricians, four painters, five carpenters, ten custodians, a contractor pipefitter and sheet metal worker. A detailed preventive maintenance program allows the staff to keep equipment running efficiently and prevent downtime while improving reliability. With over 5,000 work orders on 1,000 pieces of equipment issued on a yearly average, keeping track of what has been done or needs to be done can be quite tricky. Use of preventive maintenance software has enabled the staff to streamline this effort and the results have been tremendous. There have been no significant equipment failures in recent years.

Perhaps the biggest change the Federal Reserve Bank Chicago has undergone is the introduction of rentable space. Studies showed that the infrastructure of the building, being what it is, is appealing to tenants. Strong electrical feeds from ComEd, the enhanced life safety system, a secure environment, and the amenities and services available in the Bank give the Bank much to offer for prospective tenants.

Designers have worked hard to give the Federal Reserve Bank an upscale look. Careful consideration of the prospective tenant was taken into account with traffic flow studies, lighting and noise control studies, and close attention to ergonomics and safety. With ceiling heights of 9’3” and open cubicle offices designed with acoustical ceiling tile and indirect lighting, they have achieved the desired effect - an aesthetically pleasing, highly functional environment to attract, motivate and retain tenants. The have incorporated an employee eating area where tenants can stop for a quick snack or lunch, complete with flat screen TV for their viewing pleasure.

In addition, the cafeteria received a whole new look. A daily menu with a wide variety of offerings is posted on the wall via TV and each food station is served via buffet style. The seating area is designed with the same aesthetically pleasing theme as the office spaces.

To round out the lure of the Bank building, amenities include a state-of-the-art conference center recently recognized by the United Way and Center for Ergonomic Progress, private dining room, wellness center, travel agency, sundry shop and a complete printing/graphic services department.

And all of this has created a whole new environment for the staff of the Bank. Since space has been rented out, the security staff has taken on a new role. That of not only Bank security but tenant security as well. They have had to learn the fine balance between security and customer relations. The engineering staff has had to make the same changes as well. Whereas before they were concerned about building functions concerning the Bank, now they must relate to tenants as well. House calls are made on a daily basis, and with 1.2 million square feet to cover, the day is anything but dull. “The Reserve is more active than a lot of places,” Mike told us. And from what we can see, it’s getting busier.

Back at the engineering offices, we asked Matt to tell us a little about himself. Matt worked at Loyola prior to coming to the Reserve Bank. He actually replaced the chief this magazine had interviewed years before, Virgilio Dungo. Matt told us that while union classes have played a big role in his training, he learned a lot of the “nitty gritty” stuff from Virg before he left. Matt has a degree in physics from Lewis University and is currently working on his Masters in Engineering Management at Northwestern University. Matt leads a bagpipe band known as the Stockyard Kilty Band in his spare time, when not at work or at home with his wife, Sue.

Ninety years. While it is plainly clear that I will not be around in another ninety years, I can only assume that the Federal Reserve Bank will be standing as stately and proud then as it is now. And probably with a whole new look.

Archives