Topeka Docking Building reconstruction project nears finish line

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Work crews are in the home stretch for the Docking Building's reconstruction in downtown Topeka.

27 News visited the work site to learn how the construction on the revamped building is progressing and find out what new technology is being used. Workers are installing a new wall on the building's east side which acts as a digital shade based on how bright it is outside. The wall functions in a similar fashion to transition eyeglasses.

"It utilizes a series of sensors on the roof of the building that ultimately track the sun, track the clouds and then it runs through a calculation and decides how much tint it should put into the glass at any one time during the day," said Jim Keusler, project manager.

Keusler said the new technology being used in the structure will help make it more energy efficient and save on costs. Future office workers will also not be as impacted by the rising sun every morning thanks to the new shading technology.

Work crews have taken significant efforts to reuse parts of the old structure such as reshaped limestone and windows. The Docking Building's heating and cooling system in the basement is also being preserved as it helps control the temperatures in several nearby buildings.

"Around this building, you'll actually see lots of things that were a part of the old Docking project that we modernized and recut, reshaped and are reusing them in some similar and different kinds of applications," said Jim Keusler, project manager.

Workers hope to have the new Docking Building complete by June 2025. Reconstruction work got started in early 2024.

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