American Electric Power (AEP) is undergoing a 32 project, $250 million program for its service centers and maintenance facilities. For this program, ms consultants is providing full architecture and engineering services. These service centers and maintenance garages are for the AEP distribution and transmission teams throughout Eastern, Central and Southern United States.

Many of the new service centers and maintenance garages are designed to replace existing AEP facilities. Other projects include renovation and constructing buildings in new areas to better serve customers.

By working together with one cohesive team, AEP and ms have been able to maintain consistent specifications for building components, such as HVAC, lighting, and building design. This gives the service center program consistency in energy efficiency, durability, and ease of maintenance for the corporate facilities team.

The new AEP service centers vary by location and area needs.

Details include:

• 40,000 to 130,000 square feet in size
• Addition of staff/visitor parking spaces
• Site equipment storage
• Vehicle storage
• Administrative office spaces
• Outdoor storage areas for equipment and various electrical equipment
• Attached and/or detached storage sheds, when needed

Like its service centers, the AEP maintenance garages also vary in size and function. The ms team is designing new maintenance garages, as well as renovating existing garages.

AEP maintenance garage project highlights include:

• Up to 14,000 square feet in size
• Attached and detached maintenance facilities in relation to the service centers
• Truck and equipment storage
• High-roof and vehicle washing bays

Currently, there are a number of AEP service center and maintenance garage projects underway across the country.

All 32 projects are anticipated to be complete by 2020.