Consulting Engineering
The Louisville Palace, a historic landmark in downtown Louisville, has been an iconic theater, concert, and event venue since its opening in 1928. Over the past decade, CMTA has collaborated with the Palace to evaluate its aging infrastructure, identify critical needs, and implement energy-efficient upgrades that ensure the facility’s long-term viability.
In 2022, CMTA performed a comprehensive master plan and assessment of the venue’s MEP infrastructure. This evaluation revealed that many systems were severely outdated, non-compliant with modern codes and standards, and consuming extraordinary amounts of energy. Notably, the main air handler was 94 years old—well past its 20-year life span—and no replacement parts were available for the existing HVAC system, AHU, and rooftop equipment. Compounding these issues, the electrical system posed significant safety risks.
To address these challenges, CMTA developed conceptual system designs and conducted energy and financial modeling to evaluate potential operational cost savings. Among the options presented was a fundamental HVAC replacement plan that would reduce energy usage by at least 35%, saving nearly $100,000 in annual utility costs. An advanced high-performance solution was also proposed, offering a 69% reduction in utility usage, a 63% reduction in carbon emissions, and approximately $175,000 in annual maintenance savings. A concurrent replacement of electrical infrastructure and fire alarm upgrades were also required to bring the systems up to code compliance. Following system selection, CMTA executed a phased replacement of MEP systems, carefully avoiding disruptions to the venue’s operations. The upgraded systems significantly lower the Palace’s carbon footprint while modernizing its infrastructure for future use.
Building on this success, CMTA was selected for a subsequent design-build project at the Louisville Palace. The initiative encompassed critical life safety upgrades, including the installation of a fully addressable microprocessor-based fire alarm system throughout the entire facility. Previously, smoke detection was limited to isolated units in the bar area, leaving the main theater and lobby insufficiently protected. Other essential safety improvements included replacing the aging electrical system, which featured exposed high-voltage conductors that posed substantial hazards. CMTA installed fully enclosed switchgear and reconfigured the electrical room to meet code requirements, providing dual means of egress. Existing electrical panels were also refed and properly labeled for enhanced system organization.
During Phase 2, CMTA replaced outdated steam boilers with new high-efficiency natural gas hot water boilers and installed a central air-cooled chilled water system to serve the modernized HVAC units. Additional upgrades included replacing aging Lighting Booth indoor direct expansion equipment with high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow systems to optimize space control while reducing energy consumption. A cutting-edge direct digital controls system was also installed, enabling remote HVAC management, scheduling, and advanced energy-saving capabilities.
Beyond facility improvements, CMTA helped the Palace maximize its financial return by securing utility rebates and coordinating both federal and state historic tax credits. These incentives, combined with utility savings realized during construction and the first quarter of operation, have generated over $4.5M in value—equating to approximately 41% of the total capital investment returned to the project. This impressive financial outcome, coupled with ongoing reductions in energy and maintenance costs, ensures the venue's long-term sustainability and cost-efficiency.
CMTA is proud to modernize this historic venue, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure the Louisville Palace will continue to serve as a meaningful gathering place for the community for generations to come.
