Headquarters Of MUA Honors Retired Director – Cape May County Herald

SWAINTON For the 40 staff workers who daily report to the aging, cramped, functionally-challenged former "Shute" residence, also known as the administrative offices of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) at 1523 Route 9 North, looking out back gives them hope.

Those engineers and other specialists of the MUA can see the progress being made on the Charles M. Norkis Administration Building. That two-story 20,560-square-foot structure, with a 9,870-square-foot basement, is named in honor of Norkis, a 38-year-employee who was its former executive director.

Like someone living in a rented apartment, the workers eagerly anticipate their new work center with weather-tight windows, central air conditioning and all bathrooms that function.

A May 3 tour of the present and future administration offices of the county MUA led by Chief Engineer Thomas LaRocco and Executive Director Joseph Rizzuto highlighted the physical limitations of the present collection of buildings. Siding in many places is rotted so that insulation is visible.

Since the MUA's inception in August 1972, its scope of responsibility broadened.

Those who oversee the daily operations work in a collection of add-on buildings that grew as the agency's operations expanded.

The ranch-style dwelling was bought by the MUA. In 1978 a north-wing was added. Then, in 1983, pre-fabricated trailer sections were added.

In 1987, more land was acquired south of the original property. After that, the southeast, south and southwest additions were built in 1989.

The present building totals 19,500 square feet, with 2,700 in the second-story storage area, and a 300-square-foot basement.

In addition to the offices, two meetings of the Board of Commissioners are held in a room that is not compliant with handicap access rules.

The board realized in 2014 the time had arrived to renovate or build a new office. The firm of Hatch Mott MacDonald's team of engineers did a thorough inspection of every aspect of the facility.

Its estimate was about $1.9 million to fix deficiencies and life-safety issues. To extend the facility's useful life for another 20 years, an additional $1.5 million would have had to be spent.

Instead, the board opted to take that approximate $3.4 million and put the money into a building with a 75-year-life expectancy.

In 2014 the MUA sought proposals from architects and engineers to erect a new building. The firm of OSK Design Partners was awarded the design and construction management contract.

A design was finalized in December 2015. The construction phase was bid early in 2016 and the construction contract for $8.496-million was awarded to Arthur Ogren Inc.

The ground was broken in May 2016. Construction is anticipated to be complete in August.

When completed, demolition of the former office will take place. That will pave the way for a parking lot that will accommodate 90 vehicles with the main driveway direct to the front entrance.

Heating and cooling of the building will be geothermal, LaRocco said. He noted that a configuration of wells 500 feet would supply groundwater, year-round, at about 55 degrees. Heating takes less energy in winter while cooling in summer also requires less energy.

That feature, along with LED lighting, thermally-improved windows, and an Energy Star rated metal roof system will reduce the carbon footprint of the structure.

A part of the building's cost for energy efficient improvements is being "financially supported" by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program.

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Headquarters Of MUA Honors Retired Director - Cape May County Herald