City Walk Condominium Project Spotlight

Fire Alarm System Upgrade

City Walk Condominiums, a 27-story high-rise in downtown Saint Paul, faced an urgent need to modernize its outdated fire alarm system.

The original system, installed in 1983, had reached the end of its lifecycle—replacement parts were nearly impossible to source, and reliability was becoming a concern.

The homeowner’s association needed a fully compliant system that wouldn’t disrupt daily life or exceed budget constraints.

The Challenge
Modernizing life safety infrastructure in a fully occupied high-rise comes with layers of complexity:

Mechanical space was limited, and the building’s post-tension concrete design made adding new cabling pathways between floors highly disruptive and expensive.

The team needed to access over 200 individually owned units to install new in-room notification devices.

Keeping the existing fire system operational during installation was critical to avoid fire watch costs and ensure uninterrupted protection.

MTG’s Approach

What made this project successful wasn’t just technical know-how; it was a commitment to care, collaboration, and clear communication.

Smart Infrastructure Reuse: MTG’s project team spent extensive time during the design phase investigating the building's interior construction. This allowed them to identify and utilize existing cable pathways and infrastructure, significantly reducing disruption and avoiding the high costs associated with drilling through post-tensioned concrete.
Resident-Centric Planning: MTG engaged directly with residents and board members from the outset—attending HOA meetings, providing clear installation timelines, and offering responsive, easy-to-understand guidance to ensure smooth access to over 200 units.
Seamless System Transition: The team developed a carefully phased installation plan that allowed the existing fire alarm system to remain fully operational throughout the project. This eliminated the need for a costly fire watch and ensured continuous life safety protection.

Results

City Walk is now equipped with a modern, code-compliant fire alarm system designed for long-term performance and ease of maintenance.

The solution meets rigorous high-rise safety requirements while maximizing the use of existing infrastructure to control both costs and disruption.

Client Feedback

Your commitment to excellence and professionalism were evident from the project's inception to its successful completion. The meticulous planning, attention to detail, and adherence to timelines truly set your team apart.

Key highlights of your exceptional contribution to the project include:

Expertise and Skill: Your team's deep knowledge and expertise in fire panel systems were evident at every stage of the project. Your proficiency contributed significantly to the successful implementation of the new system.

Timely Execution: Despite the complexity of the project, your team consistently met and exceeded our expectations in terms of project timelines. The ability to adhere to schedules is a testament to your team's efficiency and project management skills.

Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication is crucial in large-scale projects, and your team's open lines of communication and collaborative approach ensured that any challenges were promptly addressed, leading to smooth project progression.

Quality Workmanship: The quality of work delivered by your team was of the highest standard. The fire panel system is now fully operational, meeting and surpassing the required safety standards for our facility.

Problem-Solving: Your team's proactive approach in identifying and addressing potential issues before they could escalate demonstrated a level of dedication that goes beyond contractual obligations."

The success of this project is undoubtedly a result of the hard work, expertise, and commitment that you and your team brought to the table.

- Tracy B., City Walk Condominiums On-Site Manager