Case Studies

AEP Texarkana 2nd Floor Annex Remodel

Office Renovation and Facility Upgrade for AEP Swepco in Texarkana

Challenge

The second-floor office space at the AEP Swepco facility in Texarkana, Texas lacked the infrastructure needed to support the company’s operational and workforce requirements.

The existing space did not include proper restroom facilities, requiring the addition of separate men’s, women’s, and ADA-compliant restrooms to meet modern occupancy, accessibility, and building code standards.

In addition, the facility did not have a dedicated storm response war room—a critical planning space where linemen and operations teams can gather during storm season to coordinate power restoration efforts and emergency response strategies.

Beyond these needs, the office environment required a complete modernization to improve productivity and workflow. The layout lacked essential features such as:

• A functional kitchenette and break area

• Open cubicle workspaces for team collaboration

• Private offices and conference areas for management and planning

Without these upgrades, the space could not fully support the operational demands, accessibility requirements, and team coordination needs of AEP Swepco’s workforce.

Solution

Martin Specialty Coatings (MSC) was selected to deliver a design-build commercial renovation tailored specifically to Swepco’s operational requirements.

During the design phase, MSC worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the new layout addressed both facility functionality and long-term operational needs. The team also coordinated with local city officials and building authorities to ensure all improvements met municipal codes, ADA accessibility standards, and safety regulations.

At the same time, MSC sourced and secured high-quality materials approved by AEP officials, ensuring the renovation met the company’s strict facility standards.

Once design and approvals were finalized, MSC provided turnkey construction services to transform the entire second floor into a modern, functional workspace. Key upgrades included:

• Construction of new men’s, women’s, and ADA-compliant restroom facilities

• Development of a dedicated storm response war room for strategic planning during severe weather events

• Installation of a modern kitchenette and break area

• Creation of open cubicle workspaces to encourage collaboration

• Construction of new walls and layouts for private offices and administrative spaces

Through MSC’s design-build approach, the project was delivered efficiently while maintaining close coordination with the client throughout construction.

Results

The completed renovation provided AEP Swepco with a fully modernized second-floor office environment designed specifically for their operational needs.

The new space now includes code-compliant restrooms, collaborative work areas, private offices, and a dedicated storm response planning room, allowing teams to work more efficiently and coordinate effectively during critical storm events.

With the project delivered as a turnkey facility upgrade, Swepco now has a functional, accessible, and strategically designed workspace that supports both daily operations and emergency response planning.