Posted June 2003

Contact: Nathalie Strickland at JohnsonWaterhouse Public Relations (423) 756-2608

EPB CONTINUES TO TRANSFORM ITSELF TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART HEADQUARTERS

Facility To Become a Model of Modern Sustainability

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.-After more than 63 years at its current location, EPB officially began construction on its new headquarters today with an on site groundbreaking ceremony at the 900 block bound by Market, Broad, and 10th Streets and M.L. King Blvd. with more than 200 officials and dignitaries celebrating the event.

"Our new building will serve as a symbol for what we at EPB see is the future of our great City," said EPB President Harold DePriest. "For more than 60 years we've maintained a presence in the heart of the City, and will continue to be an active partner in leading the community into a brighter tomorrow by offering our customers the most technologically advanced electric power, communications, and Internet services available."

Earlier this year the City officially transferred what was formerly known as the 'Butcher' block to EPB for the development of the new building, and is optimistic about what the new headquarters will bring to the central business district downtown.

"Construction of the new EPB office building is setting the tone for what will prove to be one of the most remarkable years in recent history for downtown Chattanooga," said Mayor Bob Corker at the event. "The new EPB facility will be under construction at the same time as the 21st Century Waterfront Plan is being fully implemented, creating the same vibrancy and momentum in the Central City that the Waterfront Plan is creating near the river."

EPB's new 140,000 square-foot headquarters will incorporate technological innovations that promise to improve efficiency, reliability, and service to electricity, telecommunications and Internet customers for years to come.

According to the lead architect of the project Bob Franklin, Franklin Associates Architects, the new facility was designed with techniques that will make the building one of the most energy efficient in Chattanooga. "Creating a sustainable building means addressing both environmental and economic costs," said Franklin. "EPB's new offices have been designed for energy efficiency, conservation and recycling, and direct and indirect environmental impacts. It truly is a structure of the future, and a model of modern sustainability."

The building will take advantage of carpet, carpet backing, linoleum and steel products made of recycled materials, high-efficiency lighting fixtures, a six-story atrium that will allow natural daylight to brighten much of the building's interior, and an Integrated Facility Management System that monitors the usage and demand of lighting, security, heating and air conditioning, and controls them to maximize efficiency.

"When we started designing this building, we took into account energy usage, natural daylighting and ventilation, recyclable materials, durability, solar options and numerous other sustainable issues," said Steve Clark, EPB's vice president of Reliability and Maintenance. "We decided what would work best for our particular needs and implemented those specific techniques into the overall development plan."

A contract for the new headquarters and accompanying 500 car parking garage has been approved by the EPB board of directors, and plans are to move forward with a joint venture between two local construction firms-J&J Contractors and Raines Brothers.

With an approved budget of $26 million, officials expect that construction by the joint venture will create an environment in which 242 employees will be contributing their efforts towards the project over the next 18 months. And of that figure, more than 28 percent of the jobs will be performed by minority laborers.

Electric system revenue bonds have been issued to pay for the new headquarters over the next 25 years. Also, profits from the sale of the existing property and future earnings from the parking garage and retail spaces will be used to fund the development. EPB officials said that electricity rates would not increase as a result of the new building.

EPB currently serves customers at its main office located at 506 Market St., as well as two satellite facilities. And for the convenience of its customers that live and work in other areas of the city, EPB maintains customer service facilities at 6116 Shallowford Rd. in Shallowford Commons, and 5736 Brainerd Rd. in Brainerd Village.

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