CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL INTERVIEW WITH VICKI KULJU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The former K.I. Sawyer Air Base Command Center, also known as the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) Building originally constructed by the USAF and deactivated in 1963, has hope for a new life.
The property, which has not operated at its capacity as a data center since the base closed in September 1995, is under contract with an undisclosed purchaser, according to Vikki Kulju, Executive Director, Telkite Enterprises.
The project, known as PROJECT ODYSSEY, could be ready for occupancy by year end 2022 if the purchaser decides to move forward at the end of their due diligence period in less than 12 months; however, the contractual arrangement is in the early stages and subject to several contingencies and approvals from various local, state and federal agencies, including funding assistance and incentives.
The prospect plans to retrofit the building into a mission critical Tier 3 data center with office for Information Technology related uses, including secure SCIF facilities, powered by 100% renewable primary energy with and one of the lowest carbon footprints. The building is attractive for a number of reasons.
The Upper Peninsula climate offers free cooling and a lower cost for facility operations. The proximity to the airport will add tremendous convenience for prospective clients, end-users and visiting customers arriving by air to inspect the space or service their equipment. The unique robust construction attributes of the building provide unparalleled security. The project could accommodate a number of end-users in need of secure data storage, disaster recovery or storage of physical artifacts, precious metals or documents of import or value.
The property could also accommodate local businesses and support aerospace companies involved in the Michigan Launch Initiative, by offering multi-tenant colocation for Internet servers and information technology services. Michigan’s growing leadership in aerospace provides interesting opportunities in the UP.
The SAGE building could also include a fusion center wherein DoD, USAF, USSF and NASA related activities could share secure Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF), and other technologies with the private sector while providing various industries including aerospace, electronic vehicles, automobile, medical, commerce and telecom IT and data center services.
“The Michigan Launch Initiative supports an ecosystem that leverages all terrestrial wired and wireless capabilities along with satellite communications services to enable secure interoperability across all geographic domains and anticipates PROJECT ODYSSEY as being instrumental in the development of that network,” said Gavin Brown, President Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association.
“This was one of the most challenging properties vacated by the USAF and was once a major Air Force Command and Data Center. To see a building developed during the Cold War Era repurposed in support of today’s military space applications with cutting edge technologies, would be tremendous for the building and for the community whose businesses require data centers to support their information technology operations.
In addition, PROJECT ODYSSEY fits into the Master Plan for the Telkite properties at Sawyer International Airport to attract manufacturing and high-tech industries to the area. Sustainable energy is also part of the plan to help companies operate more efficiently and meet their renewable energy goals,” said Kulju.
Kulju encourages any potential end-users interested in learning more about the project to reach out to her at telkitemi@gmail.com or 906-235-4788. “We have a long way to go, but if successful, PROJECT ODYSSEY will change the face of Sawyer and boost economic development for the entire community.”
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