Russell will build

GMP energy site

Russell Construction Services will oversee the building of Green Mountain Power’s Energy Innovation Center in Rutland.

The utility announced Wednesday that Russell was chosen from almost a dozen bidding contractors.

The Rutland-based company will work with NBF Architects and GMP officials, developing a formal construction timeline and managing the budget, the subcontractor bid process and budget, safety and regulatory compliance at the site, and all day-to-day construction work.

The EIC, which is going in the former Eastman’s site on Merchants Row, will include office space, displays and interactive educational opportunities. It will include a heat-pump system and solar generation, and will be accessible for tours.

Vermont Energy Investment Corp. and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont will co-locate some staff with GMP in the new facility.

Russell will begin working on the pre-construction planning process with NBF immediately, with a target date of March 1 to begin construction.

Mold and asbestos mitigation in the building is nearly complete. GMP expects to move into the new facility by Oct. 31.