Marple and Morton Education Centers

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) provides high-quality, cost-effective programs and services that support students, educators, and school communities across Delaware County, Pennsylvania. To support its mission and improve the performance of its facilities, DCIU partnered with CMTA and ICS to implement a $24 million Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) project that included major MEP renovations at both the Marple Education Center and the Morton Education Center. Both projects combine a GESA contract for the MEP upgrades with a traditional construction approach for site work and other building improvements. This approach allows CMTA and ICS to guarantee energy savings while keeping the overall project cost-effective.

At the Marple Education Center, CMTA and ICS installed new MEP systems to support the existing 117,000 square foot building along with more than 25,000 square feet of additions. As part of the renovation of the existing facility, CMTA worked to reuse existing piping, ductwork, electrical panels, and wiring where possible to reduce costs. Upgrades included a new heating plant, air handling units, a building automation system, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-efficiency water heaters, and updates to special systems.

The Morton Education Center upgrades included 100 new fan-powered VAV units, a new server room cooling unit, upgraded electrical service, and full-building commissioning to ensure all systems operate as intended. To keep both schools operational during construction, CMTA and ICS developed detailed phasing plans that minimize disruptions to daily activities.

As a result of these upgrades, monthly utility costs for Morton Education Center are already trending significantly lower than the guaranteed targets. The first two months of post-construction savings demonstrate that the project has already achieved 42% of its annual savings guarantee. If this trend continues, the facility’s energy upgrades are projected to deliver 2.5 times the guaranteed savings in its first year of operation.

Through this partnership, CMTA and ICS continue to deliver energy-efficient, reliable building systems that provide long-term value for the Delaware County Intermediate Unit.