Montgomery-based Destin Energy is taking a leading role in that city’s downtown redevelopment efforts through the renovation of its properties in the block of Catoma Street between Bell and Bibb streets that features a new Destin Energy office in the renovated former Reinhart Toyota building, plus landscaped green space and opportunities for additional investment.

Architectural drawing of Destin Energy's new Catoma Street office in downtown Montgomery

The project is the first private sector construction and redevelopment activity to occur within the footprint of the City of Montgomery’s downtown revitalization plan, released last year, and makes Destin Energy a leader in the effort to boost economic activity in downtown Montgomery.

The revitalization plan seeks to foster an improved environment for private investment and development downtown by mixing land uses and building types, preserving and reusing historic buildings and expanding green and civic spaces. Destin Energy’s efforts will greatly improve visual aesthetics and landscaping at a key “gateway to downtown” area where Bell and Bibb streets approach the newly expanded Montgomery Civic Center and hotel.

Destin Energy is a sustainable energy project developer focused on renewable energy technology. The company has 30 employees, with 12 working out of an office on South Perry Street while the new office is expected to be completed by early next year. The building on Catoma Street dates to the 1920s and served as the Montgomery office for the old Lime-Cola Bottling Co.

Destin Energy plans to restore the building’s original brick façade, and after extensive indoor renovation, occupy the 10,000 sq. ft. administrative section of the building. The old garage area will be used for indoor company parking. Also, a new fenced green  space along Bell Street will be the first area to incorporate the new downtown streetscape design as it leads toward the renovated Montgomery Civic Center.

According to “We’re a young, emerging company and I feel being downtown will improve our presence,” says Destin Energy President Tom Saunders. “We’re pleased to be one of the first private developments in the revitalized downtown Montgomery. We think Mayor Bright has a wonderful vision, and we want to be part of it.”

Architectural firm Brown Chambless Architects and Paragon Construction & Development are handling design and construction for the redevelopment project. John Chambless says a goal of the plan is to bring businesses like Destin Energy to downtown. "It's exciting to work on a project like this, and we're creating a better environment for private sector businesses to thrive."

Paragon President John Ives says he's pleased his company was selected as contractor for Destin Energy's new office building. "Being involved with a project that will help transform the face of downtown is not only exciting but also greatly rewarding."

The new Destin Energy office will feature a state-of-the-art total energy plant, designed by the company, that will burn renewable biodiesel in a generator to produce electricity for the facility, then capture heat off the engine to produce thermal products for heating and cooling needs.

“Having a unique cogeneration system fits nicely with our business model and makes sense,” Saunders says, adding that the energy plant will provide an opportunity to evaluate energy-conserving technologies and a showcase for some of the company’s services.

Destin Energy is a Montgomery, Ala.-based energy asset development company that provides self-funding energy cost reduction strategies for businesses, institutions and other organizations seeking to cut energy use and expenses.  On the leading edge of renewable, green energy utilization, Destin Energy offers a full range of services, including development and design, construction, financing and ownership and operation of energy projects. Learn how to save on energy costs through more efficient use of electricity, natural gas and alternative fuels at www.destinenergy.com