2002 In Review:

Project Showcase

Construction Services has been involved in hundreds of projects in 2002. These projects have ranged in size from the small one-to-two hour projects to very large and complex projects in many locations on campus. Nearly two years ago, Construction Services divided the campus into areas managed by our Managers of Construction Services. Currently, Randy Fink oversees the projects in the University Hospital; Rick Eathorne oversees the projects in the Medical School and the Business School; Terry Johnson oversees projects for the College of LSA; and Bill Welch oversees projects on the North Campus, the Athletic Campus, in the Institute for Social Research, Wolverine Towers, and Housing, as well as in several other of the smaller units on campus. Each of these Managers has supervisors working with them to assist with the day-to-day activities on campus.

Over the past year, several projects stood out due to either their size or complexity. We enjoy sharing this information with you because we are very proud of the work that we complete and the results that are achieved by the members of our department. This article will showcase several of the projects completed by Construction Services in 2002.

Taubman Medical Library
This project, located on the sixth floor of the Taubman Medical Library involved the construction of four new study rooms for the Medical School. This project was an important one because of the Medical School’s need for additional space to instruct students in a clinical setting. The best location for the expansion of their existing Learning Resource Center required the removal of existing study rooms. Construction Services was under an extremely difficult schedule for this project; we could not start the project until the students were out of classes in the spring and the users needed to put the space into operation on August 1.

Institute for Social Research
This Institute for Social Research is currently housed in several facilities on campus, including leased space. The Institute approached Construction Services and Architectural Engineering Services (AES) and requested that we partner with them to renovate three major areas in their facility so that they could occupy the space prior to the expiration of their lease. The project was designed under a new project delivery system, Abbreviated Documents, to expedite the completion of the space. The project required that Construction Services perform the job in five phases with a total contract value of just under $800,000.00. At the present time, two phases of the project have been completed and the remaining phases are progressing towards an on time completion. ast Hall—Classroom B760 Terry Johnson and his crews took on one of the more challenging projects this past year with the construction of a new classroom in room B760 East Hall. This $200,000 project took the coordinated efforts of all of our personnel to complete. The College of LSA had classes scheduled in this room and the work had to be completed on time. Although some temporary provisions had to be made, the room was completed as required so that classes could be taught in the fall.

Crisler Arena & Cliff Keen Arena Locker Rooms
The Athletic department approached our cabinet shop and asked us for assistance in two locker room projects. Although Construction Management was managing the contracts for the locker rooms they wanted our assistance in the fabrication and installation of new lockers and accessories in the Women’s Volleyball and Basketball facilities. The cabinet shop was up to the challenge of a high-end product and a tight construction schedule. In addition, both projects involved numerous changes and modifications along the way. These were incorporated into the final project, even though the schedule for completion was not extended. Once the shop completed the materials, Bill Welch oversaw the on-site installation phase of the project.

~ Paul Guttman
Construction Services