significant contribution to the quality of life
in the Downtown Development District, making it a more exciting, interesting and
desirable place to work, shop and live. Entries are judged on the type of
project and the quality of the implementation and improvement.
Keith Rice, Director of
OUCooling, accepted the award at a ceremony at the Embassy Suites Downtown.
“This is our second
district cooling plant in downtown Orlando and our second Golden Brick Award,”
Rice said. “We were challenged with building an industrial facility to house
huge chillers and cooling towers -- that at the same time would blend in and
harmonize with the surrounding commercial landscape.”
Built near the corner of
Robinson Street and State Lane, the new plant provides an economical and
reliable way for downtown developers and property owners to reduce their air
conditioning-related electric charges by outsourcing the production of chilled
water. Additional savings are realized by reducing capital and operational
costs.
Construction of the new
facility ran from April to October 2004. OUC also operates another chilled water
facility on South Orange Avenue.
The Downtown Orlando
Partnership (www.downtownorlandopartnership.com)
was founded in 1962 to help enhance the quality of life and economic development
of Downtown Orlando. The organization, with 300 member companies, is a
partnership of volunteers whose focus is to promote events, leadership and
excitement for downtown.