Eastern State Hospital Commissary Building Repairs

1 Discipline
2 Warehouse Rooms
8,000 SF Project Size

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical engineering for the Eastern State Hospital Commissary Building Repairs project in Medical Lake, Washington. The Commissary Building serves as the shipping and receiving warehouse for the Eastern State Hospital campus and includes two large warehouse rooms, a break room with kitchen, restrooms, offices, a custodial room, an IT room, and an electrical room.

The electrical design focused on upgrading critical building systems and campus connectivity. The project included adding a fire alarm system tied into the campus-wide fire alarm network for remote monitoring, replacing the switchboard and all panelboards, upgrading the lighting to meet current energy code, designing a new fiber optic feed from the campus main MDF room in the Admin Building, adding generator backup power, and designing data infrastructure and access control systems.

About the Facility

The Eastern State Hospital Commissary Building functions as a shipping and receiving warehouse that supports campus operations. The building includes:

  • Two large warehouse rooms
  • Break room with kitchen
  • Restrooms
  • Offices
  • Custodial room
  • IT room
  • Electrical room

Engineering Scope of Work

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical engineering design to support system upgrades, code-related improvements, campus integration, and operational infrastructure within the Commissary Building.

Fire Alarm System

Designed a new fire alarm system for the building and connected it to the campus-wide fire alarm system for remote monitoring.

Electrical Distribution

Replaced the switchboard and all panelboards as part of the building electrical system upgrade.

Lighting & Energy Code

Replaced the building lighting and brought it up to current energy code.

Fiber Optic Connectivity

Designed a new fiber optic feed from the campus main MDF room in the Admin Building to support building communications and connectivity.

Generator Backup Power

Designed a generator backup system to support building operations.

Data Infrastructure & Access Control

Provided data infrastructure design and access control system design as part of the overall electrical scope.

Project Outcome

The Eastern State Hospital Commissary Building Repairs project upgraded key electrical, life safety, communications, and backup power systems within a warehouse facility that supports campus operations. Through fire alarm integration, electrical distribution replacement, lighting upgrades, fiber optic connectivity, generator backup design, and supporting data and access control infrastructure, the project improved the building’s systems and brought the lighting scope up to current energy code.

What Made This Project Stand Out

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Campus-Wide System Integration

The project connected the building fire alarm system to the campus-wide network for remote monitoring and designed a new fiber optic feed from the main MDF room in the Admin Building.

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Comprehensive Electrical Upgrade

The scope included switchboard replacement, panelboard replacement, lighting upgrades, generator backup design, data infrastructure, and access control.

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Delivered Under Budget

Despite a tight project budget, CEG delivered the electrical scope 5% under the original construction estimate while maintaining system performance, reliability, and code compliance.

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Support for Operational Facilities

The work was designed for a building that serves as the shipping and receiving warehouse for the Eastern State Hospital campus.

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Code-Oriented Lighting Improvements

The lighting replacement scope brought the building up to current energy code.

Lakeland Village Campus Water Main Replacement

1,300+ Linear Feet Replaced
1 Civil Discipline
Active Occupied Campus

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided full civil engineering services for the Lakeland Village Campus Water Main Replacement project in Medical Lake, Washington. The project replaced more than 1,300 linear feet of failing water mains for DES/DSHS and upgraded critical campus water infrastructure through replacement of key supply lines and valves.

Because the work took place within an active, occupied facility, maintaining uninterrupted water service during construction was a core design requirement. To support that goal, the project included temporary water bypass routing, utility excavation, stormwater management, and full site restoration. In addition, the design process was accelerated to help move construction forward on schedule.

Project Challenges and Approach

This project required careful planning from the start. Available as-built information was limited, so the design team performed condition assessment and as-built verification to develop a more accurate and constructible solution.

At the same time, the project called for practical and cost-conscious design decisions. That included developing solutions that reduced impacts where possible, including designing around tree removal to help preserve site conditions and control project costs.

Civil Engineering Scope of Work

The civil scope covered both design and construction-phase support for the campus water main replacement.

Water Main Replacement

The project replaced more than 1,300 linear feet of failing water mains, along with key supply lines and valves, to improve the reliability of critical campus water infrastructure.

Temporary Water Bypass Routing

To maintain service within the occupied campus, the design included temporary water bypass routing during construction.

Utility Excavation & Stormwater

The project included utility excavation planning and stormwater management measures to support safe and effective construction.

Site Restoration

Full site restoration was included as part of the civil scope so affected areas could be returned to service after construction was complete.

Assessment, Documentation & Bidding

Services included condition assessment, as-built verification, cost estimating, and preparation of drawings and specifications for public bidding.

Agency Coordination & Construction Support

The project included coordination with the Department of Health and the City of Medical Lake. During construction, the team provided bid support, contractor review, and oversight.

Project Outcome

The Lakeland Village Campus Water Main Replacement project upgraded critical water infrastructure while maintaining uninterrupted service within an active campus environment. By combining bypass routing, targeted utility replacement, and full civil engineering support, the project addressed failing infrastructure without disrupting ongoing facility operations.

Construction-phase involvement also delivered direct value to the Owner. Through contractor review and oversight, Columbia Engineering Group identified and corrected contractor cost discrepancies — helping protect the Owner from unnecessary expenses while keeping the work aligned with project goals.

What Made This Project Stand Out

✓
Critical Infrastructure Upgrade

The project replaced failing water mains, supply lines, and valves that served an active campus facility, restoring long-term reliability to essential water infrastructure.

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Continuous Service During Construction

The design maintained uninterrupted water service through temporary bypass routing and careful construction phasing, keeping the campus operational throughout the project.

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Fast-Tracked Design with Limited As-Builts

The team accelerated the design process while working with limited as-built information, using condition assessment and field verification to develop a constructible solution on a compressed schedule.

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Strong Owner Support During Construction

Construction-phase services included bid support, contractor review, and oversight — including identification of contractor cost discrepancies that helped protect the Owner from unnecessary expenses.

Eastern State Hospital Laundry Waste Line Replacement

3 3-Story Waste & Vent Stacks
32+ Contractors Contacted
2 Bids Under Budget

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided engineering services for the replacement of three sets of three-story, vertically stacked sanitary waste and vent lines serving laundry rooms at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake, Washington. Chronic wastewater backups were causing repeated flooding, creating an ongoing operational concern for the healthcare facility and signaling the need for a long-term infrastructure solution.

CEG used a Building Condition Assessment approach to evaluate the failing infrastructure, document deficiencies, and determine what was needed to improve system performance. The resulting design addressed the existing drainage and ventilation problems while increasing capacity for future laundry equipment and incorporating code-compliant improvements for long-term facility use.

Project Challenge and Approach

The recurring wastewater backups required more than a temporary maintenance response. CEG evaluated the condition and capacity of the existing sanitary waste and vent systems to identify deficiencies and develop a corrective solution that addressed both immediate failures and future operational needs.

The project also presented a procurement challenge. The initial bid solicitation received no bids, which could have delayed implementation of the infrastructure improvements. CEG responded by contacting more than 32 contractors to generate interest in the project. After the project was re-bid, two bids were received under budget and the project moved forward to award.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG supported the Eastern State Hospital laundry waste line project from existing-condition assessment and engineering design through bidding, construction administration, and project close-out.

Building Condition Assessment

CEG evaluated the existing sanitary waste and vent infrastructure, documented deficiencies, and assessed system capacity. The Building Condition Assessment helped establish the corrective actions needed to address recurring flooding and support long-term facility performance.

Sanitary Waste & Vent System Redesign

The design replaced three sets of three-story, vertically stacked sanitary waste and vent lines serving the hospital’s laundry rooms. The upgraded drainage and ventilation systems were designed to improve reliability and correct the conditions contributing to wastewater backups.

Future Laundry Capacity

CEG increased system capacity to support future laundry equipment. Planning for future demand allowed the project to address the immediate infrastructure problem while also preparing the facility for additional laundry capacity.

Bid Support & Contractor Outreach

After the first bid solicitation received no responses, CEG contacted more than 32 contractors to build project interest. The re-bid produced two bids under budget, allowing the project to proceed to award.

Construction Administration & Project Close-Out

CEG continued supporting the project after award through construction administration and project close-out. This involvement helped carry the corrective design from assessment and bidding through implementation and completion.

Project Outcome

The Eastern State Hospital Laundry Waste Line Replacement project addressed chronic wastewater backups by replacing failing sanitary waste and vent infrastructure with an upgraded system designed for improved drainage, ventilation, and future laundry capacity. The Building Condition Assessment process gave CEG a clear basis for identifying deficiencies and developing a practical, code-compliant solution tailored to the facility’s long-term needs.

CEG also helped move the project through a difficult bidding environment. After the initial solicitation received no bids, direct outreach to more than 32 contractors generated renewed interest and resulted in two bids under budget. CEG then supported construction administration and project close-out, providing continuity from infrastructure assessment through completed construction.

What Made This Project Stand Out

Building Condition Assessment Expertise

CEG evaluated the existing infrastructure, documented deficiencies, and developed a corrective solution that addressed both recurring wastewater problems and long-term facility needs.

Three-Story Infrastructure Replacement

The project replaced three sets of vertically stacked sanitary waste and vent lines serving laundry rooms across three stories of the healthcare facility.

Successful Contractor Outreach and Re-Bid

When the initial bid solicitation received no responses, CEG contacted more than 32 contractors, generated new project interest, and secured two bids under budget during the re-bid.

Designed for Long-Term Facility Needs

The redesigned drainage and ventilation systems addressed existing wastewater problems while increasing capacity for future laundry equipment and supporting more reliable long-term operation.

Oregon Military Department Milton-Freewater Armory

1 Electrical Discipline
Fire Alarm System Upgrade
Secure National Guard Facility

Project Overview

CEG modernized the facility’s fire alarm system to improve life safety, reliability, and long-term maintainability. Because the Readiness Center is an operational military facility, the work also required careful coordination with existing building systems and established military design requirements.

Project Challenge and Approach

The fire alarm upgrade had to support a secure, multi-use facility without compromising system reliability. In addition, the design needed to coordinate with existing HVAC and sprinkler systems while adapting devices to updated building layouts.

CEG worked within clearly defined military scopes, specifications, and approval processes. This structured approach helped maintain consistency across life safety systems while supporting the operational requirements of the facility.

Electrical Engineering Scope of Work

The electrical scope focused on modernizing the fire alarm system and improving coordination between life safety and supporting building systems.

Fire Alarm Control Panel Replacement

CEG designed the replacement of the main fire alarm control panel to modernize the facility’s central life safety system and improve long-term reliability.

HVAC & Sprinkler Integration

The upgraded fire alarm system was coordinated with HVAC and sprinkler system connections. As a result, related building systems could operate as part of a more integrated life safety strategy.

Device Layout Updates

Existing fire alarm devices were adjusted to match updated facility layouts. New detection devices were also added where required by the revised design.

Cellular Communication Redundancy

A cellular communication module was added to strengthen system communication and provide an additional layer of reliability for the upgraded fire alarm system.

Secure, Multi-Use Facility Environment

The Moses Lake Readiness Center supports a range of military, administrative, training, and operational functions. The facility includes:

  • Administrative and recruiting offices
  • Gym and fitness areas
  • Commercial kitchen
  • Munitions armory
  • Locker rooms with showers
  • Vehicle sally port

Because these spaces serve different operational needs, the fire alarm design had to remain coordinated across a complex and secure facility environment.

Project Outcome

The Moses Lake Readiness Center fire alarm modernization strengthened life safety and system reliability across a secure National Guard facility. The upgraded design replaced critical control equipment, integrated supporting building systems, and updated detection devices for revised facility layouts.

In addition, cellular communication improved system resiliency and supported more reliable long-term operation. Through coordinated electrical engineering, CEG delivered a code-compliant life safety upgrade suited to the technical and procedural requirements of an operational military facility.

What Made This Project Stand Out

Life Safety System Modernization

The project upgraded key fire alarm components to improve reliability, maintainability, and life safety across the facility.

Cross-System Integration

Fire alarm connections were coordinated with HVAC and sprinkler systems to support a more integrated building safety strategy.

Added Communication Resiliency

A cellular communication module provided additional reliability for system communication and monitoring.

Experience in Secure Military Facilities

CEG worked within established military design standards, defined scopes, and structured approval processes in an operational National Guard environment.