Foodlink – Phase II Renovation

Foodlink is a nonprofit that harnesses the power of food to combat hunger and cultivate healthier communities. Erdman Anthony began collaborating with Foodlink in 2021, when the organization sought to expand its cooler capacity and construct a cooled receiving area for staging incoming refrigerated deliveries.

At the time, Foodlink leased the building it occupied. However, during the project’s initial stage, the nonprofit’s officials decided to purchase the building to facilitate expansion of its operations. The project was put on hold temporarily, until the purchase was finalized and a master plan was created to identify the optimal locations for the new cooled receiving area and the expanded cooler.

Our firm provided an existing-conditions survey of the areas not leased by Foodlink, a boundary survey, and drawings for use in the purchase documents, and we offered general technical assistance during negotiations with the seller. Once the sale was finalized, we provided technical support to address immediate issues the 250,000-square-foot building had.

Our firm led the architectural and engineering (A/E) design team that handled the design of a 3,600-square-foot cooled receiving area and a 2,700-square-foot cooler – both of which have 25-foot ceilings – as well as the renovation of 21,000 square feet to expand Foodlink’s outreach programs, distribution, and kitchen operations. Our firm designed new truck bays for the south docks to improve the organization’s delivery capabilities and efficiency, and we handled mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, plumbing, and fire protection design, along with performing a comprehensive topographic survey of the site.

A 60-ton refrigeration system with associated evaporators was installed to condition the cooled receiving area and a separate storage area. New LED lighting we designed was installed in the renovated area, as were associated plumbing, sprinklers, and mechanical units such as an air-handling unit and a VRF system to condition office space. Revised power distribution for the new systems and operations was also part of the project’s scope.

These improvements will strengthen Foodlink as it continues to serve 10 upstate New York counties and administer programs and initiatives that build communities’ health and wealth.