Western Regional Research Center Albany, California

South Wing Laboratories

• Scope of work under Recovery Act

Amount: $25.4 million

Repair of critical deferred maintenance including major renovation of electrical and plumbing systems and other incidental repairs. Previously completed design needs to be updated.

• Scope of work under Recovery Act

Amount: $3 million

Repair of critical deferred maintenance including repair of main laboratory and building enclosures

Repairs and renovations to fire detection and suppression systems. Replacement of steam distribution system, replacement of safety hood exhaust systems, and replacement of roofing systems. Recoating of exterior building enclosures to prevent deterioration of structural elements and weather integrity. Repairs to service building exterior finish.

Milestones

October 2009 - Construction contract awarded for $240,000 for fire and other safety system improvements in the main building and west annex building.

October 2009 - Construction contract awarded for $560,000 for repair and resurfacing of roofs.

June 2010 - Construction construct awarded for about $13.26 million. Work includes:

• Replace mechanical systems, including replacing air handling units, exhaust fans, duct systems, control systems, and hot and chilled water distribution piping.
• Replace plumbing systems including hot and cold water, laboratory and sanitary waste lines, as well as specialized laboratory water and gas piping systems.
• Replace exterior and interior doors and windows
• Replace roof
• Replace steam and condensate piping from the service building
• Remove asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint
• Install a fire sprinkler system and fire alarm system upgrades.
• Repair and replace floor, wall and ceiling surfaces
• Replace laboratory casework and fixed laboratory equipment
  

Insure all modifications comply with current governing building codes and with regulatory requirements for handicap accessibility and energy and water conservation.

July 2010 - Construction contract awarded for about $1.64 million for the repair of the exterior finishes at the West Annex Building and Service Building.

Construction Photos

Research at Western Regional Research Center (WRRC)

Researchers at WRRC work to enhance the healthfulness of foods by creating crop plants, food products and food processing methods that are healthier and safer for consumers and the environment.

For example, WRRC conducts research to understand how produce—including leafy green vegetables—becomes contaminated with microbes that cause foodborne illness. WRRC scientists discovered that microbes thought to live only in animals can also exist on plants such as lettuce and spinach and are now working on ways to prevent produce contamination.

WRRC research has also expanded fruit and vegetable consumption by creating new healthy food choices for consumers such as the new 100% fruit bars, a convenient and tasty way to meet daily fruit requirements. Also under development is the first obesity prevention bar, fortified with a wide range of nutrients, fibers, fats, proteins, and other health-promoting components.

WRRC research centered on improving the food quality of products made from grains has led to new wheat varieties that are being used to produce better breads and pasta.

WRRC also create new ways to use coproducts from food and food production in consumer products such as turning rice straw—usually a waste product—into eco-friendly cardboard packaging.

In other research, WRRC scientists are developing valuable new plant varieties and enzymes for producing renewable fuels and bio-based products. WRRC has developed a biomass-to-ethanol pilot plant using a mixture of municipal solid waste and agriculture-derived biomass that will support the development of renewable fuels without raising the cost of foods.

Research highlights

Project Photographs Before Construction

Project Photographs During Construction