SUCCESS STORIES: Historic U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
“Back in 1935, the Binghamton building was part of the government’s efforts to show a strong federal presence in American cities despite the economic challenges. Some of the same thinking went into GSA’s efforts to upgrade and improve it in 2021. MFP immediately grasped the importance of not only doing a top-quality installation but also preserving and protecting a significant part of our nation’s history. Plus, the willingness to literally move a team on site for the duration of the project was the epitome of professionalism and service.”
Mike Goshis
Vice President
Broadway Electric
Providing Protection & Preservation
CLIENT: U.S. General Services Administration/Broadway Electric
LOCATION: Binghamton, NY
TIMELINE: Started November 2020. Completed February of 2022.
THE SITUATION
The U.S. Post Office & Courthouse in Binghamton, NY, was completed in 1935 during the Great Depression. After post office operations were relocated to another facility in 1967, some areas of the building were remodeled but principal public areas were left intact, including working courtrooms with original architectural details. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the building also is occupied by federal agency offices and maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA).
In 2021, GSA issued a contract to upgrade the building to meet modern standards, including a state-of-the-art sprinkler and fire suppression system. Knowing the project would require special expertise in working around legacy architectural assets, the primary contractor, Broadway Electric, knew partnering with Metropolitan Fire Protection, Inc. would prove to be a successful combination.
THE MFP SOLUTION
With extensive experience completing installations in historic buildings and at remote locations, MFP understood the unique logistics and skills required. After designing a detailed schematic to accommodate historic elements—from two-story paneled ceilings in the building’s two courthouses featuring decorative cast iron grilles and Art Deco lighting fixtures to the original judge’s bench—MFP fabricated all the piping in its Elk Grove Village facilities and shipped them to upstate New York. Then an experienced MFP crew, led by Bill Mallder and Mike Hanna, moved to Binghamton for the six-month install.
THE PROJECT SCOPE
MFP retrofitted the entire four-story building—including areas untouched since 1935—installing more than 4000 feet of piping and in excess of 500 sprinkler heads through existing plaster and acoustical ceilings. Throughout the process, MFP placed a high priority on preserving the building’s legacy design aesthetics as well as minimizing disruption for current tenants by working weekends and overnight hours.
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS
Since the Clinton administration, GSA has actively pursued a policy of occupying and reinvesting in historic federal buildings. The Binghamton Post Office & Courthouse is a prime example of this emphasis on stewardship and preservation. But lofty goals often come with ambitious budgets and timelines. This project was no exception. The MFP team was able to not only install 21st century fire protection while maintaining the architectural integrity of the building’s 1930s interior but also deliver on budget and on time.