Missoula Federal Credit Union » Chris Lynn

Southside Construction Update 5/24/2010

Chris Lynn — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:35:34 +0000

More trees have returned! You’ve seen the birch trees in the front window of the new building, now some of the pine trees have returned…as a bench and as part of the writing counter in the new lobby. Both pieces were finished and installed by Counter Solutions who did a fabulous job of bringing out the natural beauty of these large chunks of wood. The pictures just don’t do this craftsmanship justice! We’re aiming for an early July opening…and you’ll have to stop in and see these beauties for yourself! Stay tuned to this blog and our FaceBook page for announcements about our open date.

Southside Constuction Update 4/23

Chris Lynn — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:26:15 +0000

If you’ve ever been in the lobby at our Southside Branch, you’ve surely noticed the beautiful tongue and groove ceiling—one of the most striking features of that 30+ year old building. When we began the design process for the new addition and remodel of the old building, one of the items we wanted to preserve was this beautiful wood. Since we will be lowering the ceiling to accommodate a state of the art training center in the old building, we decided to remove the tongue and groove and reuse it in the new lobby….our salute to the history of the old building and a way to reuse something that still has many years of beauty ahead. Our contractors cleaned up the edges of the old wood and refinished it. It is being installed right now in the new lobby. Check out the pictures—we just couldn’t wait to show you!

“Pre-Completion” Staff Tour 4/7/2010

Chris Lynn — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:22:20 +0000

The staff who will be moving into the new building are getting more and more excited as the completion grows nearer. And of course everyone has been extremely curious to see what their new digs will look like, so we arranged a “pre-completion” tour for staff. This way they can get a sense of what their new space will look like—floor plans just don’t do a project justice—before they start moving in. As always, Gordon Construction crews went above and beyond to make sure the space was tidy and allow us entry after they were done working for the day. And even though there is still a lot of finish work to be done, everyone could see how beautiful the building will be when it’s completed.

Needless to say, staff were duly impressed…the space has been very well-designed to take advantage of as much natural light as possible and provide comfortable work spaces for everyone. And now, it’s just a matter of hanging in there through the last few weeks of completion! Updated pictures to come soon!

Annual Meeting and Sustainability Fair

Chris Lynn — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:08:58 +0000

The third-annual MFCU Sustainability Fair is Tuesday, March 23rd 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. Come find out just how easy it is to make your life a little greener, by checking out a variety of green businesses and non-profits. Our Annual Meeting will also take place during this event, which starts at 6:00 p.m. Our new Board of Directors will be introduced during this time. If you have not voted, please do so here.

In addition, you’ll enjoy light refreshments from Biga Pizza and the chance to win prizes throughout the evening.

This event will be carbon-neutral, thanks to Clear Sky Climate Solutions. Make it even greener by riding your bike or riding the bus!

Southside Construction Update 3/1/2010

Chris Lynn — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:49:45 +0000

Progress on our project has been huge in the last few weeks. Windows are almost completely installed…even the big glass on the front of the building is making great strides. One of the really neat aspects of this building will be all the natural light we will experience. We’ve used Low-E double paned windows to minimize energy loss through conduction and most work spaces will have some amount of natural lighting. We’ll be installing daylighting sensors that will automatically control lights in select areas to minimize energy usage while providing sufficient light for us to work. Occupancy sensors in all rooms will automatically shut off lights in rooms not being used.

As the building starts to take shape, our staff are getting more and more excited to move into the building. We are coordinating furniture and equipment and will be phasing our move in to give our IT staff ample time to get the networks and work stations set up appropriately. Because we will be moving our servers into a specially-designed, top of the line server room, members may experience some Miss Web or Miss Fed outages in June (we’ll let you know more specifics when WE know them) as we make the physical moves. Our intention is to make the process as seamless as possible for members, however, unexpected issues can pop up at the last minute.

Members who have safe deposit boxes here at Southside will soon receive communications regarding the move from the old building into the new—along with some preview of the new self-serve technology we will be installing.As the weather warms, more site work will be starting. Sometime in early April, you’ll see some more lines being dug in, more paving happening and of course the landscaping through the spring and summer.

Southside Construction Update 1/19/2010

Chris Lynn — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:45:49 +0000

Please pardon our mess…We’re salvaging the paneling from the lobby ceiling to reuse in our new lobby!

When we first started thinking about remodeling/building at our Southside branch, one of the items that came up regularly was the tongue and groove on the ceiling in the lobby. We all agreed it was too nice to just cover up or demolish, so we found a way to reuse it! During the Martin Luther King holiday our contractors came in and carefully removed the paneling and will be refinishing it in their workshop. It will be installed in the new lobby…so be sure to look for it when you visit this summer! In the meantime, our lobby at Southside is a little bare…so please pardon our mess.

Southside Construction Update 12/29

Chris Lynn — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:57:19 +0000

From the outside, it might appear that progress on our building has come to a significant slow-down….however, there is a LOT going on inside the building! The interior walls are framed on the first floor 100% and the second floor about 80%. Window frames are starting to appear and glass should be following shortly. Speaking of windows…we’re using double pane, low-E windows to help minimize energy loss—windows are one of the biggest areas for heat/cooling loss on a building. The whole project was modeled to help choose the most efficient combination of design and materials (both economically and eco-consciously). This modeling included the HVAC system, insulation package, windows and exterior wall construction.

The temporary heat is on (which the guys working on site appreciate in a BIG way!) and electrical rough in continues. All the ductwork, conduits, and pipes that no one ever sees are being installed. The masons are making great progress on installing the 60,000+ bricks on the exterior…who knew there would be so many bricks! We can hardly wait to see them all without the scaffolding covering them up.

The schedule still looks pretty good for us to move into the new space in July. Once the new construction is completed and everyone moved from the old building, the remodel on the old building will start. The entire project is still on track to be completed this time next year.

We appreciate everyone’s patience with the mess of construction and the challenge of getting around the site. By this time next year, all this inconvenience will be but a vague memory! Here’s to 2010!

Southside Construction Update 11/30

Chris Lynn — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:47:38 +0000

The building has gone through a huge transformation in recent weeks. We now have exterior walls on the second floor and the clerestory (the big glass box on top of the building) is starting to take shape. We anticipate a roof in the next few weeks and the brick work continues. The concrete on the second floor has been poured and other interior work including duct work, electrical, mechanical and plumbing is moving right along. We’ve included some pictures taken from the second floor. The views from several different vantage points upstairs will be amazing.

Southside Construction Update 10/26/09

Chris Lynn — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:00:51 +0000

If you’re like me, you may be arriving to work in the dark now and maybe even headed home in the dark! If that’s the case, you may miss some of the big things going on at the construction site…For instance, the brick on one entire wall is nearly completed! Check out the pix (taken during daylight hours for benefit of our “dark-challenged” drivers!) Window and door spaces are taking shape and more of the first floor gets enclosed daily. The concrete for the second floor will be poured in coming days once all the joists are braced and cross braced.

Other portions of the project continue at a rapid pace—but they aren’t visible. For instance, the ductwork for the HVAC system is being installed in the basement, the elevator enclosure is completed and the decking for the second story is being installed.

Today’s “green” tidbit: Energy models were used in the design phase of the project to select the best HVAC system and to analyze the best insulation package for the building (cost vs. incremental benefit). The HVAC and electrical systems will be commissioned at the end of the project to ensure they are running at optimal performance levels.

Southside Construction Update 10/4/09

Chris Lynn — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:58:47 +0000

It’s been a couple of weeks since our last update and things have changed DRAMATICALLY on the site. We now have exterior walls going up, the concrete has been poured for the first floor and the firewall between the new building and the old one is rapidly taking shape. We’re hoping to have the entire building enclosed by mid-November (hopefully before the snow flies!) In the next few weeks you’ll start to see more exterior finishes going up and the second floor will start to take shape.

A couple of “green” tidbits you might find interesting…Light gauge walls are being used for both bearing walls and out of plane forces—eliminating 5% of the red iron used in the project—AND, all of the red iron we’re using is 100% recycled.

Don’t forget, during construction, our temporary lobby entrance and parking are on the south side of the building….accessible only via Dore Lane.