If you worked in the A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) field from 2008-2014 you are very much aware that the industry was in a very tough place. Large projects were halted, people were laid off, and some firms even folded. The recession hit our industry hard, but we are a tough group of individuals, who because of our grit and determination made it through that hard spell.
Prior to the recession, there was a major mixed-use development project named “Bloomfield Park” underway in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The original development was to include 19 buildings made up of office space, retail and residential uses; along with three parking structures. Phase 1 construction, estimated at around $350 million, began in 2006. Abruptly the project was halted in 2008, due to the beginning of the recession. Left behind was a wasteland of unfinished buildings including the three parking structures.
Today, 9 years later new life is being breathed into the project. The new developer “REDICO” brings a new vision to the project, which includes demolishing most of what was originally constructed including two of the three parking structures. Construction of the 3rd parking structure was approximately 90% complete when the original development was stopped in 2008.
Rich & Associates was retained by the developer to provide consulting and design services so that construction of the 3rd parking structure could be completed. When Rich & Associates assessed what construction work was in place and developed a scope of what work was needed to complete the structure, it was determined that due to code changes, deterioration, and outdated technology presented created new design challenges including;
- Code changes that required design and installation of all new handrails in the vertical cores.
- Changes in the elevator shafts were required to accommodate elevators with technology different than the original design in 2006.
- Repairs were required to some areas of the structure that deteriorated over time.
- The roof of the vertical core (which was not in place when the project was stopped) was originally designed as a precast roof. The cost of erecting that precast roof piece today was prohibitive. Therefore, a new steel roof system was designed instead.
Finally, The heavy traffic on Telegraph and Square Lake Road will no longer be littered with reminders of the 2008 recession. The traffic will be invited to visit “The Village at Bloomfield” in the near future. Demolition on the unsoluble buildings is underway, and construction on the rest of the project is hoping to get started in Spring 2018.
