Construction on the $1.3-million facility has surpassed the halfway mark, with build-out slated for September 2, 2003. The plant is currently 57% completed, according to officials at Roel Construction Co., which is building the project along with locally based mechanical contractor Jackson & Blanc.

The 5,040-sf facility, which stands at 1097 Imperial Ave., is actually the second phase of the cooling plant project. The first phase kicked off in February 2002, when $3-million worth of chilled water distribution piping was installed throughout the Ballpark District.

Starting on December 2, 2003, the plant will begin providing permanent chilled water service to Petco Park, the Omni San Diego Hotel and other ancillary developments in the East Village. JMI officials have touted the East Village District Cooling Plant as a project with significant worth in that it will eliminate the substantial capital cost of building cooling production facilities within each project, as well as cut out the operation and maintenance costs associated with maintaining an air conditioning facility on site.