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Nicely built… in Michigan

Date Posted: March 5 2010

The volume of construction work in Michigan has certainly declined – but not the quality of work.

The Associated General Contractors of Michigan handed out their annual “Build Michigan Awards” on Jan. 29, recognizing excellence in commercial construction around the state.  Seven projects and construction teams were recognized as winners during the AGC of Michigan’s Annual Meeting Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 in Detroit.

“The Build Michigan Awards represent some of the most outstanding commercial construction projects completed in our state in any given year,” said Andrew Shmina, AGC Chairman.  “These projects contribute to our quality of life whether they are schools for our children, office buildings for our businesses, or hospitals for our citizens.”

The awards recognize new construction and renovation projects in building construction ($5 million or less), building construction (over $5 million), environmental, construction management, and design-build.  Awards also are considered for first-time entries. Projects are judged on: meeting the challenge of a difficult job, excellence in project management, innovation in construction techniques, sensitivity to the environment, responsiveness to client needs, and the contractor’s contribution to the community.

The projects were also overwhelmingly built with union labor.

Following are some of the 2009 Build Michigan Award Winners:

Turner Construction Co., Detroit
Project: Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, West Bloomfield
Owner: Henry Ford Health System

The project included 560,000 square feet of new hospital space and power generation facilities built by Turner and the adjacent renovation of 270,000 square feet of a medical office building and clinic by Auch and Kasco.

“Maintaining uninterrupted service at the existing medical clinic while moving underground utilities in order to build the new buildings was our biggest challenge on this project,” said Cliff Kazmierczak, Turner vice president and project director.  “The owner’s vision was for a facility that focuses on the patients first and treats everyone like a guest.  We are honored to have been part of making the new hospital a reality.”

Contractor: Walbridge-Barton Malow, Southfield
Project: Detroit Metropolitan Airport North Terminal, Romulus
Owner: Wayne County Airport Authority

One of the first airport complexes fully designed and constructed post-9/11, the 26-gate, 850,000 square foot North Terminal can accommodate 14 million passengers annually. The linear footprint creates a faster, more efficient path for taxiing aircraft, which conserves fuel, reduces environmental emissions, and saves time for travelers.

Natural daylight, bright color, and dramatic lighting enhance the passenger experience and impression of the facility. Built within a budget of $431 million, the North Terminal establishes a new benchmark for value-conscious airport planners.

“We extend our thanks to the local contracting community, which understood the significance of this work, and was committed to excellence throughout,” said Barton Malow Project Executive Doug Maibach.

“Walbridge was pleased to contribute our innovations to this project,” added Walbridge Chairman and CEO John Rakolta, Jr. “The North Terminal team not only achieved ambitious goals in costs, logistics, and deadlines, it has enhanced the role of Detroit Metro Airport as a world-class gateway to the Metro Detroit Region.”

Contractor: Clark Construction Company, Lansing
Project: FireKeepers Casino, Battle Creek
Owner: Nottawaseppi Band of Huron Potawatomis

The project included a new 236,000 square foot casino, offsite utilities, and a 636,000 square foot parking structure. “This project was important to Michigan’s struggling economy, providing work for hundreds of local subcontractors and long term employment for 1,500 casino employees,” said Charles Clark, CEO of Clark Construction.  “Our team was able to meet some serious construction challenges and bring the project in ahead of schedule, within budget and without any injuries.”

The new Las Vegas-style FireKeepers Casino is located along Interstate 94 near Battle Creek.  The facility includes state-of-the-art lighting, 2,680 slot machines, 78 gaming tables, 120-seat poker room, a food court and several sit-down restaurants.  Clark’s professionalism and attention to detail earned them high praise from the Nottawaseppi for a job well done.

Contractor: Granger Construction Co., Lansing
Project: Sparrow West Wing Addition and Central Utility Plant, Lansing
Owner: Sparrow Health System

The Sparrow Hospital West Wing Addition/Central Utility Plant project included construction of a 450,000 square foot, eleven-story addition and a new central utility plant all completed during full and uninterrupted hospital operations.  “Hospital construction work has its unique challenges and Sparrow is one of our most valued clients so this project was very important to us,” said Glenn Granger, president of Granger Construction. “There were some pretty significant project changes along the way, but our team’s attention to detail and understanding of Sparrow’s patients’ first philosophy helped us succeed.”

The new 11-story addition houses operating rooms, prep and recovery areas, a new emergency department, an ICU department, a cardiology floor, a rooftop helipad and a six-level parking structure connected to the hospital.

Sparrow’s praise of Granger’s effort was notable. “Since the facility opened, we have received hundreds of positive comments from patients, physicians and staff.  The entire tower should be a testimony to what can happen when two first class corporations work together for a common goal,” said Ira Ginsburg, Sparrow’s Senior V.P. of Operations.

Contractor: Auch/W-3 Team, Pontiac
Project: Henry Ford Health System West Pavilion Vertical Expansion, Detroit
Owner: Henry Ford Health System

The Henry Ford Health System West Pavilion Vertical Expansion project added a 5th and 6th floor plus a mechanical/electrical services penthouse to an existing four-story wing of a hospital while maintaining full hospital operations.

“The owner was focused on the patient and family’s care and concern in developing private rooms with comfortable amenities in a state-of-the art healthcare facility,” said David E. Williams, Auch vice president and project director.  “The Henry Ford Health System has a long proud history of delivering top quality healthcare and we proud of adding to that legacy with the Henry Ford West Pavilion.”

The owner summed it up best by saying, “Thanks to your team’s sensitivity, creative problem solving and adopting Henry Ford’s philosophy of ‘Each Patient First’ we were able to successfully complete the project not only under budget and ahead of schedule but with minimal impact to patient care.”