Council considers McConnell Center HVAC upgrades, solar array installations at select buildings

posted on 4/7/2026

The City Council is considering authorizing energy infrastructure improvements, including the additional of solar panels, to the McConnell Center and other city buildings. 

The proposed upgrades to the McConnell Center and solar power installations were the topics of the City Council's March 25 workshop. Public hearings on these funding authorization resolutions will occur at the City Council’s Wednesday, April 8 meeting.

Last year, the City Council authorized contracting with Energy Efficient Investments (EEI) after a competitive bid process, to conduct intensive energy audits on most municipal buildings and make recommendations to improve efficiency and lower operation costs. The firm conducts these audits at no cost to the city.

The McConnell Center was identified as a top priority due to the need to replace the aging boiler system. Energy Efficient Investment President Michael Davey explained in his presentation to City Council that EEI identified other HVAC improvement opportunities in their audit, including replacing numerous aging heat pumps and reinstalling them in more efficient locations, installing new system controllers, adding a dehumidification system for the gym, and replacing the cooling tower. Davey said the total maximum cost for replacing all items at once would be $2.6 million, which would generate $33,000 in guaranteed annual energy and operations savings.

To pay for the upgrades, the City Council will consider authorizing $3,041,100 in debt-financing to pay for the complete McConnell Center HVAC system replacement, which will also include $350,000 in funding to replace the McConnell Center roof, install new insulation and structure bracing, which the City Council authorized in January. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the bond authorization at its April 8 meeting, with a vote at its April 22 meeting. The bond's debt-service costs are accounted for in the FY2027 McConnell Center Fund budget the City Council adopted on April 1.

Davey also discussed the opportunity for the city to take advantage of soon-to-be expiring federal tax credits for solar array installations at the McConnell Center, North End Fire Station, Ice Arena, Public Works Facility, and the French Cross Road Water Treatment Facility for an upfront cost of $1,388,250. The city would receive $555,300 in federal tax credits, with the remaining amount paid back in energy savings in 9.5 years, according to Davey's presentation. EEI has guaranteed the $555,300 in tax credits in the event of an unexpected shift in federal regulations. 

To purchase the solar arrays, City Council will consider authorizing using non-debt capital reserve funds. The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the funding resolution at its April 8 meeting.