Wilshire Chiller Plant Relocation

Q1 2026 Project Update

Wilshire Chiller Plant Relocation

January -February 

Southern California Edison (SCE) confirmed that permanent power would be achieved on December 21 along with the removal of the old power supply line. In preparation of this scope of work, Campus Facilities, the New Performing Arts Complex and Wilshire Chiller Plant Relocation Project Management Teams met to determine all tasks required to be accomplished prior to SCE’s arrival on-site. Subsequently, over the following days, the electrical subcontractor successfully completed electrical connections to restore service to the surrounding facilities, including the Wilshire Auditorium, Student Services Building, Wilshire Buildings 100, 200, and 300, as well as the new Wilshire Chiller Plant. Planned power outages occurred ahead of the SCE scope of work; the team coordinated with Campus Safety to have staff on-site to minimize any safety incidents.

The internet was cut-over to establish a connection with the main campus network during the winter break.
Excavation and soil compaction to establish the temporary driveway asphalt concluded. Rock was then placed around the building in preparation for the rains in December. Demolition of the existing underground encasement concluded.

Interior fireproofing of steel beams was completed, and the exterior stucco at the electrical yard was applied and painted.
Concrete for hardscape was poured on December 10 at the art yard. Asphalt was laid shortly after as a temporary solution to allow for pedestrian flows until the conclusion of the New Performing Arts Complex, when the final concrete will be poured to ensure uniformity between both areas.

Work on applying plaster to the SCE electrical yard concluded and all the finishes were installed. The exterior stucco brown coat was applied by the third week of December, followed by the color coat.
The SCE vault was set in place and concrete slurry was poured to seal the conduits while the vault remains accessible for future maintenance as needed.

The kiln, sand pits, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility ramp, and ramp handrails were installed. The aluminum gates, workbench, and doors were set in place. Roof installation for the canopies progressed.

The jib crane was set in place, and electrical connections were made to power the equipment. Crane testing took place at the end of January. The remaining electrical wiring and final electrical finish installations throughout the art yard concluded. Green screens were fitted in the area by early February. Ongoing mechanical work and insulation concluded in mid-February.

Additionally, the Campus Project Team finalized the gas line and meter installation by SoCal Gas Company in February. Underground compressor lines were reconnected to the equipment in the same month.

Commissioning of the cooling tower and chiller plant followed, with its completion anticipated in the second week of March.
The remaining site perimeter fencing was reconfigured to ensure project delineation from the New Performing Arts Complex in the first week of March. The final trailer was removed in late February. Asphalt patching took place to restore the parking spaces for ease of use.

Close-out activities are starting up as trainings take place with Campus Facilities. Additionally, the Campus Project Team is in the process of collecting close-out documents, of which the manual and warranties have been received. The project achieved substantial completion on March 2, 2026.