AT&T Building Crane Pick: Power Upgrade in Downtown Portland

Client Background

The AT&T building serves as a critical telecommunications hub in downtown Portland, requiring uninterrupted power for essential services. With growing demand and aging infrastructure, AT&T needed to enhance their redundant power systems without disrupting operations. The existing setup included two 1.5MW generators, but increased capacity was essential for future reliability and growth.

What We Faced

This project presented major challenges on several fronts. Logistically, we had to maneuver a 550-ton crane through dense downtown Portland, which required securing complex permits for street closures. Technically, our team installed 500 feet of high-capacity busway inside the fully operational building while performing intricate electrical work to integrate the new generator. Finally, the high-stakes lift itself was entirely dependent on finding a window of perfect weather, making timing critical.

The real difficulty wasn't just the technical installation-it was orchestrating every moving piece in a live urban environment where safety couldn't be compromised.

Cody Adams – Director, Electrical

How We Solved It

During the planning phase in early 2023, our team conducted an extensive evaluation of three different crane sizes, multiple configurations, and two potential pick locations over several months. The critical breakthrough came through our partnership with Roebbelen Construction, which enabled us to remove the generator's pre-installed housing, significantly reducing both lift complexity and weight. This strategic decision paved the way for our technical approach, which involved deploying a 550-ton hydraulic crane with 300,000 lbs of counterweight configuration, installing two new switchgear lineups, and routing 2500A and 4000A busway through the existing structure.

Our execution strategy required patience and precision, as we monitored weather conditions for five months before optimal conditions finally aligned for the critical lift operation. Throughout the entire process, safety remained our top priority as we navigated the challenges of working in a high-risk urban environment. The results exceeded expectations: we increased power capacity from 3MW to 5.5MW (an 83% improvement), enhanced system redundancy through dual utility service configuration, maintained zero downtime during installation, completed the project without safety incidents, and delivered on schedule despite weather-related delays.

Ready for Your Next Complex Infrastructure Challenge?

Our team specializes in high-stakes electrical installations and urban construction projects. Email us at partnerships@cochraninc.com to discuss how we can solve your most challenging power infrastructure needs.