CAM Magazine August 2007

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:32 PM Page 1
AUGUST 2007 VOL. 28 • NO. 8 • $4.00

IN THIS ISSUE:
®
“VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
CONSTRUCTION
LAW UPDATE
Lien Law and Dispute
Resolution Changes
ECONOMIC
OUTLOOK
Analyzing Detroit’s
Growing Delimma
Rolling Out
Quality Interiors &
Finishes
ACT Honors Intex
Award Winners
Today’s Office
Design Trends
Plus: Extreme Makeover Turns Shabby into Chic for Locally Renovated Building
August 1-17 7/6/07 2:32 PM Page 2
NRG 356 CAM 7.75 X 10 5/15/07 12:13 PM Page 1
Look up...
stay safe, avoid power lines!
Thousands of Michigan-based Detroit Edison and DTE Energy workers are dedicated
to providing you with the level of service and dependability you’ve come to expect
for over a century. And that includes doing everything we can to keep you safe.
Whether you’re working or playing, if you’re outside, you need to be aware of power
lines — and avoid them. Especially if you’re carrying a ladder or working on a roof.
And should you ever see a downed wire, keep your distance and call us immediately
at 800.477.4747.
T h e P o w e r o f Yo u r C o m m u n i t y e = D T E®
August 1-17 7/6/07 2:32 PM Page 3
Group Insurance
Quality, Affordability
and Solid protection

Large medical expenses can be financially devastating. That’s why your Association
sponsors the CAM Benefit Program for you and your employees.
By combining our responsive local claims service with our new medical insurance carrier,
Madison National Life, you now have an opportunity to select a full array of employee benefits:
Medical PPO RX Drug Card Dental PPO Life

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Call us today for pricing and further details:
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Email: grutkowski@camads.com The CAM Benefit Program is underwritten by
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August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 4
INTERIORS/FINISHES
34 ACT Honors INTEX Winners

Architectural Contractors Trade Association’s 12th
Annual Achievement Awards
“VOIC E OF TH E CONSTR UCTION I N DUSTRY”®
FEATURES
40 Interior and
Finishes Trends
18 Economic Outlook
Examining Detroit’s Delimma
Drive Professionals in New Ways
Office Renovation in Farmington Hills Showcases
Latest in Design
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT
22 On The Jobsite
Living History at the Yankee Air Museum, Willow Run
Airport
CONSTRUCTION LAW
24 Changes to the Michigan

Construction Lien Act
A Look at the Changes 46 Turning an Old Factory Into an Idea
to State Legislature Machine
Renovated Factory Evolves Into an Original and
Imaginative Design Environment
DEPARTMENTS
8 Industry News
13 Safety Tool Kit
28 Updated A201
56 Product Showcase
and Resolving
62 People in Construction
Claims
Changes on the Horizon for Owner and Contractor
68 CAM Buyers Guide Update
Disputes
69 Construction Calendar
70 Advertisers Index
4 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 5
D E S I G N W H A T Y O U D R E A M
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BOSTON BUFFALO CHICAGO CLEVELAND DETROIT MILWAUKEE NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA TORONTO
August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 6
PUBLISHER Kevin N. Koehler

EDITOR Amanda M. Tackett
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR E. Dewey Little
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mary E. Kremposky

David R. Miller
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew J. Austermann

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Gregg A. Montowski
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Cathy A. Jones
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Chairman Randy L. Brooks,
Temperature Engineering Corp.
Vice Chairman Thomas E. Doyle,
Plante & Moran, PLLC
Vice Chairman Nancy D. Marshall,
Aluminum Supply Co.
Treasurer Jeffrey W. Cohee,
Frank Rewold & Son, Inc.
President Kevin N. Koehler
DIRECTORS Brian J. Brunt,

Brunt Associates
Rick J. Cianek,
Fraco Products
Brian D. Kiley,
Edgewood Electric, Inc.
R. Andrew Martin,
F. H. Martin Constructors
Ted C. McGinley,
Gutherie Lumber Co.
Robert J. Michielutti Jr.,

Michielutti Bros., Inc.
John O’Neil, Sr.,

W. J. O’Neil Company
Glenn E. Parvin,
C.A.S.S.
2006
MARCOM International GRAPHIC DESIGN USA
Creative Awards Gallery of Fine Printing
AMERICAN INHOUSE
2005 Gold Award DESIGN AWARD 2002 Bronze Award
Michigan Society of The Communicator

Association Executives International
Print Media Competition
2002, 2004 & 2005
Diamond Award Overall Association Magazine
2003 Honorable Mention Magazine Writing
CAM Magazine (ISSN08837880) is published monthly by the Construction Association of Michigan, 43636 Woodward
Ave., P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204 (248) 972-1000. $24.00 of annual membership dues is allocated to a
subscription to CAM Magazine. Additional subscriptions $40.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at Bloomfield Hills, MI
and additional mailing offices.
For editorial comment or more information: magazine@cam-online.com.

For reprints or to sell CAM Magazine: 248-972-1000.
Copyright © 2006 Construction Association of Michigan. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without
permission is prohibited. CAM Magazine is a registered trademark of the Construction Association of Michigan.
6 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 7
REPRESENTING
INSURANCE
& BONDING
General Insurance • Surety Bonds
1175 West Long Lake Rd. Suite 200 • Troy, MI 48098
248-828-3377
Fax 248-828-4290 - Bonding
248-828-3741 - Insurance
e-mail:mmiller@vtcins.com
www.vtcins.com
Del Valenti Rod Gawel Jason McLelland Ken Boland

Bob Trobec Tim O’Malley Jeff Chandler Teresa Casey
Al Chandler Joe McIntyre Jeff Lehnertz Tom Morris
Mike Miller Kathy Irelan Jim Boland Gary J. Beggs
Ian Donald Tom Skuza Julie Rourke
August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 8
INDUSTRY NEWS
Hobbs + Black Honored at

Michigan Interior Design
Awards
The Michigan Chapter of the
International Interior Design Association
recently awarded Ann Arbor-based Hobbs
+ Black Associates, Inc. several 2007
Michigan Design Excellence Awards. The
firm won both a Best of Competition
award and Best Interior Design award in
the hospitality category for its design of
Majority restaurant in Lansing.
The project designers at Hobbs + Black
are James Sharba, Staci Bakkegard, and
Betsy Wager, IIDA. The 5,500-square-
foot, 125-seat restaurant is an eclectic com-
position of vintage-to-vogue décor and
edgy, hip architectural elements. The
modern urban atmosphere with a tradi-
tional twist, the upscale setting, and pri-
vate dining room appeals to casual diners
looking for a downtown destination.
Hobbs + Black won both Best of Hobbs + Black earned Best Interior
Competition and Best Interior Design award in the healthcare category
Design awards in the hospitality for the firm’s interior design of Henry
Ford Wyandotte Hospital’s Center for
category for this stunning design of
Health Services in Brownstown. The
Majority restaurant in Lansing.

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 9
designers are Emily Uphaus, Betsy

Wagner, IIDA, John S. Barker, AIA, H.
The MISS DIG Board of Directors assembled
for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at
James Henrichs, AIA, Charles Huber and the new MISS DIG headquarters in Auburn
Timothy Murdock. This ambulatory care Hills. (L-R) Robert Richard, Sr. VP of MichCon;
center and medical office building was
Paul Preketes, Sr. VP Energy Delivery,
planned and designed to provide a wel-
Consumers Energy; Dan O’Leary, MISS DIG
coming, healing environment instead of
director, MichCon; Kathie Fournier, CEO &
the sterile design often associated with

executive director, MISS DIG System, Inc.;
hospitals and medical facilities. Slate tile

Bruce Campbell, president of MISS DIG
and warm wood finishes were selected to

System, Inc., Conex Corporation; Steve
embody the hospitality theme to welcome

Spohn, Spohn Construction; John Wallace,
visitors rather than overwhelm them.

MISS DIG director, Detroit Edison; and Dirk
Dunham, MISS DIG director, Consumers
The talented architectural firm also Energy.
earned a Special Recognition for Creative
Use of Open Office Plan for its work for
the Eaton Corporation in Ann Arbor. The
designers are Betsy Wagner, IIDA, Lori
Martens, Emily Uphaus, Thomas Phillips,
LEED AP. The core office space features
an open floor plan conducive to team
building and informal interaction, pro-
We don’t know
moting collaboration between their engi-
neering and sales staff. The open meeting
areas that were created are known as
“think tank” spaces to support such infor-
the meaning of
mal interactions.
Call 8-1-1!
MISS DIG Helps Michigan
“uncollectible.”
Dig Safely
Blooming flowers, green trees and warm
weather are sure signs that Michigan
homeowners and professional contractors
are outside digging in the ground and Our firm has collected millions of dollars
moving dirt. This year it’s easier than ever
to obtain free staking of underground util- in accounts receivable and outstanding
ities before beginning that work – by sim-
ply dialing 8-1-1.
811 is a new, federally mandated,
balances for suppliers and subcontractors
national “Call Before You Dig” number.
Any caller anywhere in the United States nationwide. We also provide construction
can now dial 811 and be directed to a local
one-call center, which will then contact the lien and bond claim services.
proper utility companies. Within three
business days, utilities will respond and
mark the approximate location of under-
ground lines with flags and/or paint. In
Michigan, calls are routed to MISS DIG The Law Offices of
System, Inc.
Nationwide, risky assumptions about
the location of underground utility lines,
Ronald B. Rich & Associates
which are buried at various depths below Specializing in Collections and Construction Law Since 1981
the ground, lead to more than one uninten-
tional hit per minute every day, every year.
“Now that there is a single number to call, 30665 Northwestern Highway, Suite 280
anytime, there’s no excuse for putting lives Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
at risk by striking a utility line,” said U.S.
Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters.
“If 911 is the number you call to report
emergencies, 811 is the number to call to Free Consultation • 248.851.4411 • www.LetUsCollect.com
prevent them.”
Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 9

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 10
INDUSTRY NEWS
Negotiators,
To launch 811 in Michigan and celebrate
MISS DIG’s new state-of-the-art headquar-
ters in the City of Auburn Hills in Oakland
Advocates,
County, a May 9th ribbon-cutting open
house event was held. State and local offi-
STRENGTH Counselors,
cials, and representatives from statewide
organizations and utilities attended. One
the country’s first one-call centers, MISS
DIG began operations almost 37 years ago.
Since that time the center has taken nearly
integrity 15 million calls for locating services. MISS
DIG has more than 900 members, includ-
ing utilities, municipalities and others who
trust Providing excellence
in the law — comprehensive
construction, business,
value the services provided.
transactional & litigation Despite Michigan’s High

services to the business Unemployment Rate,
community over 50 years. SSOE’s Growth in State
Continues with New Jobs and
Expanding Offices
International Architecture and
Engineering Firm Grows 30 Percent in
2006
Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C. With a presence in Michigan for 30 years
and three offices in the state, SSOE, Inc. –
one of the nation’s largest architecture and
1000 Maccabees
1000 Maccabees Center•25800
Center•25800 Northwestern
Northwestern Hwy.
Hwy. Post
Post Office
Office Box
Box 222•Southfield,
222•Southfield, Michigan
Michigan 48037-0222
48037-0222
engineering firms – is planning at least 25

248.746.0700•Fax 248.746.2760
248.746.0700•Fax 248.746.2760
E-mail:
E-mail: kgleeson@swappc.com
kgleeson@swappc.com •• www.swappc.com
percent growth in each of its Michigan
www.swappc.com
offices in the next year, despite the strug-

gles of the state’s industrial base and an
unemployment rate significantly higher
313•531•2700 than the national rate.
Headquartered in Toledo and with deep
CONNELLY CRANE roots in Michigan, SSOE currently
Complete Crane Rental employs approximately 160 professionals
in the state, 26 percent of whom were hired
RENTAL CORP.
in the last 12 months. The firm’s growth in
Services Since “1943”
Michigan, which is home to 25 percent of
SSOE’s owners, includes offices in:
One Of Michigan’s Largest • Midland, which is preparing for 50

percent growth; the office currently
Also Serving the Lansing Area employs 25.
• Portage has doubled its office size to
1-800-750-6698 6,500 square feet in order to accommo-
date the 40 percent growth in staff; a
25 percent growth is expected by year
NOW AVAILABLE:
end; the current staff count is 22.
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“Our firm grew 30 percent in 2006, and
our Michigan locations were major con-
tributors to that trend,” said Tony Damon,
CONNELLY
12635 MARION • DETROIT (REDFORD)
CEO of SSOE. “Michigan – like several
other states we have offices in – offers solid
footing for creative professionals who are
1-96 & TELEGRAPH AREA

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 11
eager to impact the design of facilities process engineering for the biofuels, chem-
across the nation and around the world. In ical, food, glass, mining and personal care
a global economy, services such as ours are industries. SSOE has completed projects in
in high demand, despite local conditions, 48 states and 32 countries, and is
and that means creative professionals approaching 60 years of excellence in engi-
become extremely valuable assets.” neering and architectural design. Visit
Specializing in
SSOE is one of the global leaders in www.ssoe.com for additional information
architectural services for the auto industry, and career opportunities.
E.I.F.S.
as well as for clients in the healthcare, Commercial Exterior
retail, education, science and technology, and Interior
biofuels, chemical, food, glass, mining and
Western Michigan University
personal care industries. The firm’s
Dedicates Visual Arts Facility Plastering
Michigan clients include University of SmithGroup-Designed and CSM-
Michigan Healthcare Systems, Beaumont Constructed Facility Creates Passage
Hospital, Mercy Healthcare System, Between ‘Art and Learning’
Meijer, Rite Aid, Toyota Ann Arbor, Construction is completed for the pri-
Hemlock Semiconductor, Dow Chemical, vately funded $13 million Richmond
Marathon Petroleum Company, Michigan Center for Visual Arts at Western
Consolidated Gas Company, Consumers Michigan University, Kalamazoo.
Energy, Great Lakes Gas Transmission, Designed by SmithGroup and built by
Coca-Cola, Sara Lee, Ralston, and Pfizer. CSM, Galesburg, the 44,000-square-foot
SSOE’s Michigan office also manages proj- facility includes specialized spaces for the
ects from other states for clients that center’s permanent collection and for
include Quaker, ConAgra, Hershey, traveling exhibits, along with student lec-
ture halls, studio space and a student
21750 Schmeman
Lowes, PetSmart, Mervyns, Safeway, and
Albertson. lounge. The new center completes the
Warren, Michigan 48089
SSOE recently launched a nationwide university’s fine arts campus.
(586) 775-8700
recruitment effort to hire 200 architects “The building's design screams its use FAX (586) 775-7717
and engineers by the end of 2007 to assist and will literally become the bridge that
in meeting its growth in nearly every mar- connects the university's fine arts com-
ket that it serves. The firm operates from munity,” proclaimed Evie Asken, director
16 offices across the United States and in of WMU Campus Planning. Prior to the
China.
Last month, SSOE announced a major
expansion in Phoenix, which will serve as
facility’s completion, Asken said, “I see
the Richmond Center for Visual Arts as a
very strong architectural statement for
FLAG POLE
the hub of its western-U.S. operations, par- the Western Michigan University SALES & SERVICE
ticularly in the healthcare and retail sec- Campus.”
tors, and opened a new office in North The ‘Art and Learning’ design features
COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
Carolina’s Research Triangle Park to serve include a sculpture garden, terrace and Rocket Advantages:
the growth of that region particularly in connectors. Leading up to the entrance of • Free on-site recommendations
the pharmaceutical, education, biofuels, the Center is a 20,000-square-foot sculp-

• Large stock of flags and flag poles
and science and technology sectors.

• U.S., State, foreign and custom flags
Founded in 1948, SSOE, Inc. is an interna-

• Flag maintenance programs
tional design firm and ranks 14th among

• Patented flag locking system
the nation’s largest engineering and archi-

• All flag pole repairs
tecture firms (Building Design and

• Fast, friendly service
Construction, 2006) and 12th among firms

om y!
e.c an
in the manufacturing sector (Engineering

ris omp
News-Record, 2007). Demonstrating fast

and consistent growth, in 2006, SSOE post-
nte g C
ed a 30 percent revenue growth making it

etE Fla
rp
the third consecutive year the company has

ck ice
grown its revenue more than 15 percent.

v
With nearly 800 employees and multi-

w. Ser
disciplined LEED™ certified professionals

Ro
ww Full
employed in 16 offices around the world

ur
the company has earned a solid reputation

Yo
in facility design for the healthcare, retail,

automotive, education, and science and
technology markets. SSOE is also noted for
experience in civil engineering, and (586) 751-7600
30660 Ryan, Warren MI 48092

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 12
INDUSTRY NEWS
ture garden for professional traveling phere for the learning spaces, a curved the new Student Recreation Center.
exhibits, followed by a series of raised ter- zinc wall panel frames the exterior of Exhibit consultant is Don Desmett of
raced steps marching up to a soaring, 2- stacked lecture halls situated on the 1st Desmett Fine Arts, Kalamazoo.
1/2-story lobby. Rising above via second- and 2nd floor. This approach creates a
story entrances, a three-part grouping of concentrated space that maximizes seat-
pedestrian glass ‘connectors’ physically ing for 177 art education and art history
O-Ring Sprinkler Replacement
connects visitors of the Center to addi- students.
Program Ends
tional School of Fine Arts buildings, The Center is named in honor of WMU Building Owners Have Until August
including the Dalton Center and the Alumni, James and Lois I. Richmond, 31, 2007 to Receive Free Replacement
Miller Garage/Auditorium. who donated $2.5 million towards the and Installation
Copper roof and walls will give the Center’s construction. In recognition of The Building Owners and Managers
Richmond Center an ever-changing their dedication to the arts, WMU invited Association (BOMA) International recent-
appeal. The Center’s structural envelope the Richmond’s to be part of the ly learned that Central Sprinkler Company
uses a combined flat and standing University’s design review. James and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
seamed roof system. Overlapping bent Richmond is a well-known Kalamazoo Commission (CPSC) have announced that
vertical and horizontal copper planes on artist with a long-time association with the Voluntary Replacement Program
the walls and roof leave colorful, linear the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. (VRP) for O-Ring Sprinklers will end on
rainwater impressions that complement SmithGroup Principal Designer, Paul August 31, 2007. Property owners who
the precast concrete wall panels. Urbanek, reiterates, “The design result have not yet submitted a VRP claim must
The Center houses a 1,500-square-foot, was greatly influenced by the valuable submit "Proof of Claim" and "Waiver and
bridge-like student lounge on the second critique that Jim and Lois offered during Release of Claims" forms to Central
floor that overlooks 5,700 square feet of design reviews throughout the process.” Sprinkler Company postmarked by
combined student and main exhibit The new Richmond Center for the August 31, 2007, to receive free replace-
space. The remaining gallery space for Visual Arts marks another successful col- ment sprinklers and installation.
the 700-square-foot permanent gallery is laboration between SmithGroup’s Detroit BOMA International filed a lawsuit on
separated by the use of individual, color- office and Western Michigan University. June 1, 2001, seeking removal and replace-
coded wall panels. Additional projects include the College of ment of the O-ring sprinklers on behalf of
To create a non-competitive atmos- Health and Human Services Building and its members after independent testing

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 13
S
revealed that some of Central's O-ring
sprinklers could degrade over time, affect-
ing how the sprinklers activate in a fire.
SAFETY TOOL KIT o what one is done dumping AND has lowered
Specifically, Underwriters Laboratories exactly con- his box. The “argument”: That takes too
(UL), an independent, not-for-profit prod- stitutes “too long – time is money, you know (see
uct safety certification organization, found much” safety? In Safety Alert #23). If you take a few minutes
that due to degradation from salts, water a recent discus- to review work-related fatalities in Michigan
minerals and other contaminants some of sion with a very (http://oem.msu.edu/miface.asp) it
the sprinkler heads with the O-ring seal experienced con- doesn’t take too long to figure out a cou-
required a higher water pressure to oper-
struction worker, ple of things. Specifically, accidents are
ate than was available in some buildings.
the comment was rarely caused by a single factor. Accidents
On July 9, 2001, after a two-year investiga-
made that there result from a compilation of problems that
tion, Underwriters Laboratories revised its
Joseph M. Forgue
were so many work together to produce a disastrous
UL Standard for Safety for Automatic
Manager of Education
Sprinklers for Fire Protections Service, safety require- result. Until we can figure out which
& Safety Services
UL199, so that O-ring seal sprinklers ments (on a particular job) that is was sur- “lynch pin” we can pull out to stop an
would not be permitted after January 2003. prising any work was getting done. In a accident, we will still have to look at any
Central Sprinkler Corporation, an affili- recent accident, a truck driver was killed and all factors, regardless of how trivial
ate of Tyco Fire Products, recalled its O- as he sat in his cab at a jobsite waiting to they may seem. My experience has
ring fire sprinklers on July 19, 2001, in dump his load of sand. The truck next to shown me that fatalities can result from
cooperation with the CPSC. BOMA him was in the process of dumping his things many of us would never dream
International's lawsuit was settled in 2002 load when the hydraulics failed. The could happen. When it comes to safety,
and resulted in the implementation of truck tipped over crushing the victim sweating the small stuff is still a pretty
enhancements to the CPSC recall program. who was just sitting there. The solution: good idea. If I can be of any assistance to
This is the first time in its history that the Don’t let trucks sit next to each other your safety program you can always find
CPSC has ended a recall. when they dump. The result: One truck me at the end of 248-972-1141 or
"It is imperative that building owners having to wait to position until the other forgue@cam-online.com.
who have not had Central Sprinkler
Corporation O-ring sprinklers replaced act
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August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 14
INDUSTRY NEWS
now by submitting a VRP form by the square-foot facility will have the capacity
August 31, 2007, deadline in order to to produce 10 million gallons of biodiesel
receive free replacement and installation," per year using a full spectrum of feed-
said BOMA International Chairman and stocks, including crude, refined and recy-
Chief Elected Officer Kurt R. Padavano, cled vegetable oils and animal fats. It will
RPA, CPM, FMA, SMA, and Chief be the sixth such production project com-
Operating Officer of Advance Realty pleted by Biodiesel Industries in recent
Group of Bedminster, N.J. "Tenant safety is years. Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. is pro-
CAM EXPO BOOTH 1026 the first concern of BOMA International. viding planning, design and engineering
We filed the lawsuit in 2001 to alert our services for the Detroit center. DeMaria
members to the problem, and to ensure Building Company is providing precon-
that proper action was taken. We will construction and construction management
tinue to keep our members informed on services.
this issue, especially in light of the Groundbreaking for the multi-million
unprecedented decision by CPSC to end a dollar facility coincided with other City of
recall period." Detroit-sponsored events held in celebra-
...serving the industry for over 55 years!
For more information, go to www.sprin- tion of National Transportation Week in

klerreplacement.com. The CPSC has mid-May. Construction is targeted for
issued a release on their website at completion in December of 2007.
www.cpsc.gov. When asked to comment on the firm’s
involvement in this venture, Kahn’s
Director of Research and Technology and
STAINLESS 3042B, 304 #4 POL, 304 #8 POL)
Principal for the project, Peter Lynde, PE,
Detroit Slated to Receive New
LEED AP, said, “This exciting project rep-
Biodiesel Plant
Project Awarded to Albert Kahn resents one of the first biodiesel produc-
Associates, Inc. and DeMaria Building tion facilities located in the heart of an
Company urban environment. It offers many unique
Detroit-headquartered firms Albert design challenges, including an important
Kahn Associates, Inc. and DeMaria need to blend with the surrounding neigh-
Building Company have been selected by borhood, as well as complement the
Biodiesel Industries Inc. to design and research character of adjacent TechTown.”
CUSTOM WALL PANEL SYSTEMS
construct its new biofuel production facil- DeMaria Building Company Vice
ity in Detroit’s Midtown near the New President Darren Murray stated, “The
Center Area. Biodiesel Industries project is another
NextEnergy, DaimlerChrysler and other groundbreaking project for DeMaria in the
major industry players will join forces alternative energy market. We are very
with Biodiesel Industries on this pioneer- excited to be part of such a great team
ing project. The group will work in part- involved in bringing biodiesel production
nership toward a common goal of to Detroit. This facility will create excellent
biodiesel advancement and implementa- opportunities for employment in our local
CAD DESIGN SERVICES
tion. Research conducted at this facility community.”

will help to both diversify Michigan’s Kahn presently serves as Engineer of
economy and strengthen the U.S. economy Record for recently completed projects at
by reducing its reliance on foreign oil. NextEnergy’s headquarters in Detroit’s
Upon completion, the new 13,000- TechTown. The firm’s work at the site
THRU WALL REGLET
The rendering shows the pioneering project of a biodiesel plant. DeMaria Building Company
and Albert Khan Associates were selected to construct the facility.

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:33 PM Page 15
includes a laboratory build-out and alter-

native fuels platform endeavor. Phases
two, three and four of the alternative fuels
platform projects were completed in con-
junction with DeMaria Building Company.
DeMaria is the Contactor of Record for this
facility.
Additional work in the alternative ener-
gy market for Kahn includes a biodiesel
facility for Gulf Coast Energy in As a full service Carpentry &
Livingston, Alabama, as well as a recently
completed hydrogen storage, generation
Architectural millwork company we
and dispensing facility for North Dakota
utilize integrated technology to deliver
Power Cooperative in Minot, North
higher value to our clients. Estimating,
Dakota. Shop Drawings and Real Time Scheduling
DeMaria is design/builder for another are linked to state-of-the-art woodworking
biodiesel plant in Adrian, Michigan. In machinery. Our technology investment
2006, DeMaria also served as
design/builder for a new 130,000-square-
reflects our commitment to clients;
foot bus terminal that features a
quality and value you can depend on.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling
station for the largest fleet of CNG-pow-
ered buses in Michigan at the Blue Water
Area Transit in Port Huron. The transit
project was completed in December 2006.
custom veneer work
City of Indianapolis Potentially custom veneer work
Seeks Out-of-State Contractors wood doors&& frames
The City of Indianapolis has embarked
wood doors
custom frames
custom veneer
veneer work work
on an ambitious program to bring sanitary
laminate/post
laminate/post forming
forming
sewer service over the next 20 years to the
wood doors & frames
wood doors & frames
more than 18,000 homes within the city
limits that are now served by septic sys-

tems that are failing or will be near failure
over this time period. Up until now, most
of the projects under this Septic Tank
Elimination Program (STEP) have carried
capital costs of a few million dollars, and
have been done mostly by local contrac-
tors. However, several upcoming STEP
projects will carry estimated costs of $20 Brunt Associates, Inc.
million or more, with potential for out-of-
state contractors arising from the increased
48953 Wixom Tech Drive,
workload.
Wixom, MI 48393
Other major projects that will be coming
(248) 960-8295
up soon in the city’s Long Term Control
Fax: (248) 960-8296
Program include an Interplant Connector
www.BruntAssociates.com
Jeff Gantz
Raplh Rexroat
Tunnel and Open Cut project to be bid in

2008 at a currently estimated cost of $150
million; improvements to the two
Jeff Gantz
Raplh Rexroat
advanced wastewater treatment plants
valued at over $200 million that will be bid
over the next several years; and a deep
tunnel system that will cost anywhere
Jeff Gantz
from $400 to $600 million.
Raplh Rexroat
The first of the larger STEP projects was
Jeff Gantz
scheduled to be advertised in June 2007,

Raplh Rexroat
with bids opened six weeks after adver-

tisement. This project is known as the
Franklin/Southeastern STEP. The project
will be built in a heavily residential area

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:34 PM Page 16
and will entail significant traffic control,

careful sequencing of work, roadway
reconstruction, drainage improvements,
and utility coordination.
Major elements of the project include the
following: sewer service provided to over
530 homes; over 44,000 feet of 8-30 inch
SDR-21 or SDR-35 PVC pipe placed at
depths up to 22 feet. Over 31,000 feet of
the pipe to be laid is 15 inches or less in
diameter, with over 32,000 feet placed at
depths of 14 feet or less; three bored 24-48
inch casings crossing intersections; over
51,000 feet of various types of ditch
restoration; over 26,000 feet of RCP
drainage pipe varying in size from 12 to 60
inches in diameter; and 123 sanitary man-
holes, including several drop structures,
111 drainage inlets, and 104 storm drain
manholes.
The City of Indianapolis encourages
interested contractors to learn more about
the STEP project noted above and the
City’s overall sanitary and stormwater
improvement program. For more infor-
mation on the Franklin/Southeastern
STEP project, please contact Anne Marie
Smrchek at (317) 327-7029 or by e-mail at
asmrchek@indygov.org. For more infor-
mation on the city’s overall capital
improvement program, please contact Bob
Masbaum at (317) 327-2319 or by e-mail at
bmasbaum@indygov.org.
SEEING THE SOLUTION.
Navigant Consulting helps clients address complex July Highlight Photos
construction issues when the solution isn’t The photos published in CAM Magazine’s
July Construction Highlight were taken by
Christopher Lark Photography. We apologize
always clear. Next time you’re faced with
for the omission.
an engineering, construction, scheduling,
cost or damages issue, turn to the
experts at Navigant Consulting.
Turn to us for direction[s].
For more information, please contact

James French, 248.641.2450 or
jfrench@navigantconsulting.com
www.navigantconsulting.com/construction
©2007 Navigant Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved. “NAVIGANT” is

a service mark of Navigant International, Inc. Navigant Consulting,
,QF1&,LVQRWDI¿OLDWHGDVVRFLDWHGRULQDQ\ZD\FRQQHFWHG
ZLWK1DYLJDQW,QWHUQDWLRQDO,QFDQG1&,¶VXVHRI³1$9,*$17´LV
made under license from Navigant International, Inc.

August 1-17 7/6/07 2:34 PM Page 17
August 18-23 7/6/07 12:05 PM Page 18
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Premier
Electronics
Fire Alarm and Critical
Protection Systems
Authorized Distributor
DETROIT’S DILEMMA
• Commercial
• Industrial
By Don Wilson
• Institutional he southeastern Michigan econo- ern Michigan in 2006 than in 2000. BLS
Design • Sales • Installation my is now in the seventh year of surveys of employer establishments
24hr Service • Inspections T an economic contraction pro- indicate 240,000 private sector wage
duced mainly by restructuring in the and salary jobs were eliminated
Servicing the fire alarm operations of the Detroit automakers as between 2000 and 2006 through layoffs,
industry since 1988 their market share continues to shrink. retirements and outsourcing. However,
Collectively, Chrysler, Ford and a concurrent BLS survey of households
Phone: 586-247-5356 General Motors’ share of the North regarding participation of household
Fax: 586-247-5346 American motor vehicle market (with members in labor force, and IRS tabula-
domestic models built in the North tions of the tax returns of self employed
American plants they operate) fell from persons, indicate a significant propor-
66.1% in 2000 to 55.9% in 2006 and will tion of wage and salary job cuts were
probably slip again into the 53% to 54% offset by about 142,000 persons electing
range in 2007. As a consequence, based to go to work for themselves, either on
Zervos Group,Inc. on tabulations by the U. S. Bureau of a full-time or part-time basis, in 2001
Labor Statistics (BLS) and Internal through 2006.
Revenue Service (IRS), there were Many business owners and managers
about 98,000 fewer private sector wage in Michigan, never having had to oper-
• BONDS and salary jobs and self-employed per- ate in such sluggish economic condi-
sons in the labor markets of southeast- tions for such an extended time period,
Emplm't Forecast
• CONTRACTORS
INSURANCE SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN EMPLOYMENT FORECAST
Construction Trades /
Total & Manufacturing Jobs (000)
• ENVIRONMENTAL 3500
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Jobs (000)
250
INSURANCE
3000
Total Employment
• LIFE & HEALTH 200
2500
Over 50 Years
of Experience 2000
Construction Trades 150
(248) 355-4411 1500

Motor Vehicle & Parts Manufacturing 100
24724 Farmbrook Rd. 1000
Southfield 48034 50
500 All Manufacturing

Gus E. Zervos Steve M. Zervos
CEO President 0 0
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Page 1
August 18-23 7/16/07 11:16 AM Page 19
are becoming more perplexed regard- American passenger car market (with to gross operating profits. Chrysler,
ing when the region’s economy will vehicles built in the North American Ford and General Motors operate man-
turn around initiating the positive plants they operate) compared to 68% ufacturing facilities that, as a whole, are
effects that will gradually have on of the market for trucks, SUVs and not as lean as the North American oper-
household and business spending. It is vans. Also, Detroit automakers generations of foreign producers. According
a fact that such an extended period of ate most of their profits on truck, sport to the HARBOUR REPORT published
economic decline will eventually be fol- utility, and van products, whereas the annually by Troy-based Harbour
lowed by stability for a period of time cars they sell make a lesser contribution Consulting, Chrysler, Ford and General
before job growth can restart. Wage and
salary employment rolls, regularly
monitored at employer establishments
in several industries, and self-employ-
ment data derived from surveys in the
household sector, are the most readily
available and comprehensive measures
of the status of the business conditions
in any geographic area and its many
industries. Earnings from that employ-
ment, likewise, comprise the largest
portion of household disposable
income and its buying power.
Employment in all labor market seg-
ments of the southeastern Michigan
service area of the Southeast Michigan
Council of Governments (SEMCOG),
per the University of Michigan’s
Institute of Industrial and Labor
Relations, is forecast to remain flat at
2.72 million through 2009, down from
2.83 million in 2000, as published in
SEMCOG’s report entitled, “A REGION
IN TURBULENCE AND TRANSITION:
THE ECONOMIC AND DEMO-
GRAPHIC OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH-
EAST MICHIGAN THROUGH 2035.”
Job levels are then projected to rise frac-
tionally through 2019 when employ-
ment is projected to return its previous
peak in 2000. The question then that
has to be asked is: Why will the recov-
ery be so slow and prolonged?
The Detroit automakers’ share of the
U. S. and Canadian motor vehicle mar-
ket is expected to continue to diminish
in the years ahead. Detroit’s vehicles
have become viewed in the market-
place as having fewer ownership bene-
fits than the products of foreign
automakers as the North American
motor vehicle market has assumed a
more global make-up. With the rise in
gasoline prices since 2005, there has
been a shift in vehicle demand away
from gasoline slurping pickup trucks,
sport utility vehicles and vans to more
fuel-efficient passenger cars. That
means the Detroit automakers will be
selling even fewer vehicles, as Detroit
accounts for only 38% of the North

August 18-23 7/6/07 12:05 PM Page 20
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Motors require more hours to produce LEAN, published by the Harbour-Felax dependent on them) if they are to sur-
a vehicle and its major components Group, a consultancy based in Royal vive and compete effectively.
than Japan’s automakers who now Oak. Another reason the southeastern Southeastern Michigan’s involvement
account for a 36% share of the U. S. and Michigan economy will remain lethar- with the domestic automakers is also
Canadian motor vehicle markets. This gic is the fact that demand for cars and impacted by their restructuring plans.
is confirmed by a front page article in a trucks is likely to show little growth As the Detroit automakers’ review and
June 14, 2007 issue of the WALL during the next few years. The nation’s decide where to downsize, their selec-
STREET JOURNAL where it states, households have a significant debt bur- tion of operations to partially or com-
“The Detroit Big Three say they pay den and most are not adding very pletely shutter is having a greater
union workers $70 to $75 per hour, much, if anything, to their savings. impact on their facilities in other states
when wage, healthcare and pension Also, there is no pent-up demand for than in southeastern Michigan. While
expenses are factored in. By compari- cars and trucks because of the very this strategy lessens dependency on the
son, Toyota and other Asian auto mak- aggressive price incentives and low automotive industry in select areas of
ers, according to Big Three estimates, interest rates offered through 2005. other states and Canada and maintains
pay $40 to $45 an hour at their U. S. The path of southeastern Michigan’s industry jobs in southeastern Michigan,
plants.” The Detroit automakers, then, household income, a bellwether of its it increases the vulnerability of south-
are at a profit disadvantage and the spending power, has always been close- eastern Michigan to future cyclical and
unfavorable impact that can have on ly reliant on the production of the secular change in the industry.
retail selling prices (sales revenues) and Detroit Big Three automakers that is Between 2000 through 2006, the man-
the availability of funds (profits) for illustrated in an accompanying chart. ufacturing segment of the private labor
investment. Detroit makes an estimat- As a result, it is doubtful whether market in SEMCOG’s service area suf-
ed $2,400 less per vehicle in pre-tax employment in the region will ever fered a 34.5% loss in wage and salary
profit than Japan’s top three leading again record any significant increase employment (excluding some adminis-
automakers, according to a report enti- considering the improvements in pro- trative positions) as the U. S. and
tled AUTOMOTIVE COMPETITIVE ductivity required in the operations of Canadian production of the Detroit
CHALLENGES: GOING BEYOND Detroit automakers (and the industries automakers dropped 15.2% from 10.5
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August 18-23 7/6/07 12:05 PM Page 21
million units to 8.9 million and vehicle

output of foreign automakers surged
40.6% from 3.2 million units to 4.5 mil-
lion. If that pace of job loss in south- SALES RENTALS
eastern Michigan manufacturing (aver-
aging 6.6% annual in 2000-06) accom-
panying the Detroit automakers pro-
ERECTIONS DELIVERY
duction cutbacks (an annualized loss of

SHORING SCAFFOLDING
3%) is any indication of the impact of

SWING STAGING TRASH CHUTES
future market share losses and produc-

SCAFFOLD PLANKS Since 1952 EXPERT DESIGN
tivity improvements, the region’s econ-

FALL PROTECTION AND
1-800-693-1800
omy will be making more downward
TRAINING SAFETY SERVICES
adjustments in the years ahead. In

order to offset an equivalent annual
rate of decline in manufacturing
employment during the future and
match the rich paychecks those jobs
generate, non-manufacturing employ-
ment must post a 2.8% annual gain
instead of declining 0.8% per year as
occurred in 2000 through 2006.
Another event that will probably
inhibit growth in southeastern
Since 1968
Michigan employment is legislation
pending before the U. S. Congress that “SPECIALTY CLEANING”
proposes an increase in Corporate
Average Fuel Economy to 34 or 35 miles
www.acmemaint.com
per gallon over the next decade or so.

That will require a significant invest-
ment by Detroit’s automakers when
their current funds are being devoted to
improving their operations and their
24236 Mound Road, Warren, Michigan 48091
products to try to compete more effec-
tively, and investors are very skeptical
Commercial • Industrial • Institutional
of the Detroit’s automakers ability to Cleaning Services
bring their North American operations
back into the black. A study recently
PROFESSIONAL DUCT CLEANING
completed by the automotive consul-
Cleaning & Sanitizing • Complete HVAC Systems
tancy, IRN, Inc. of Grand Rapids, warns
Restroom/Laboratory/Paint • Exhaust Systems
the no fewer than the six southeastern
Michigan plants assembling various
EXTERIOR BUILDING CLEANING
models of pickup trucks and sport util-

Architectural Metal • Precast • Brick • Stone
ity vehicles (accounting for 50% of state

INTERIOR BUILDING CLEANING
vehicle production) could be at risk if
Degreasing • Prep for Paint • Exhaust Fans • Floor Cleaning
that legislation pending before DEEP CLEANING
Congress is passed and becomes law. Machinery De-greasing • Kitchen Facilities
Parking Deck Cleaning • Warehouses
Don Wilson is a consulting economist
based in Hartland, Michigan. He has spe-
Loading Docks • Compactors
cialized in working for trade associations,

37 Years In Business
banks, chambers of commerce and munici-

palities since 1982. (586) 759-3000 Fax (586) 759-3277
August 18-23 7/6/07 12:06 PM Page 22
RENDERING COURTESY OF QUINN EVANS | ARCHITECTS
LIVING HISTORY
M
B Y D AV I D R . M I L L E R , A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R • P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M AT T H E W A U S T E R M A N N
ost people rely on the pages of history to understand

World War II. Some are lucky enough to be able to
tap into the recollections of someone who was there,
but this opportunity fades with the passing of every
veteran. The Yankee Air Museum exists for the noble purpose of
preserving this living legacy for future generations.
Until an October 2004 fire claimed the 1941-era hangar building
at Willow Run Airport that housed the Yankee Air Museum, visi-
tors could develop an appreciation for what pilots and crews
endured by seeing World War II aircraft in an authentic aviation
environment. The fire interrupted Yankee Air Museum’s mission,
but this vital work will continue. QUINN EVANS |ARCHITECTS
(QE|A), Ann Arbor, and URS Corp., Grand Rapids, have devel-
oped a design partnership to create a mater plan for a larger facil-
ity on the site that will create a sense of realism for all visitors, par-
ticularly children who may know very little about World War II.
“I think it is important for children to know how we got to
where we are today,” said Richard Stewart, president of Yankee Air
Museum. “They need to know the sacrifices the entire nation

August 18-23 7/16/07 11:17 AM Page 23
made on behalf of freedom. That is what

we want to teach, show and tell.”
Fundraising to support the first phase is
currently taking place. This portion of the
project will include construction of a visi-
tor’s center and administration building, a
museum, a hangar for flyable aircraft, and
another hangar for aircraft restoration. A
historic schoolhouse has also recently
been moved to the site and it will be
restored to house a library and archives.
The goal is to complete this phase by 2012,
and the buildings will be clustered in an
arrangement reminiscent of an actual
World War II air base. Those who want
the total experience can even fly in vintage
Yankee Air Museum aircraft for a fee.
Frederick Gore, AIA, senior design archi-
tect for URS, is currently involved in the
Yankee Air Museum project and has taken
advantage of this rare opportunity offered
by his client.
Buildings at the Yankee Air Museum will be clustered in an arrangement reminiscent of an
actual World War II air base. Those who want the total experience can even fly in vintage air-
craft, including the B-17 seen here.
B-25 Mitchell P-51 Mustang B-17 Flying Fortress
Historic aircraft flew overhead as plans for the Yankee Air Museum were unveiled.
The Yankee Air Museum gives visitors a hands-on appreciation of the difficulties faced by
“I flew in the B-17 and the B-25,” he

World War II pilots and crews. Through the efforts of Michigan’s design and construction
said. “First and foremost, I was surprised

community, this opportunity will hopefully never be lost.
at how small they were - they were not

built for comfort. The B-17 flew at 20,000-
25,000 feet with open air, so it was
extremely cold. It was also extremely
noisy; you needed to be face-to-face with
someone and yelling at the top of your
lungs to be heard.”
Gore admitted that discomfort is what
made the strongest impression on him, but
unlike those who flew in combat, he did
not have a vital mission to perform during
his flight. His experience gave him a
hands-on understanding of the difficulties
faced by World War II pilots and crews,
thus demonstrating the real importance of
the Yankee Air Museum. Through the
efforts of Michigan’s design and construc-
tion community, these valuable lessons
will hopefully never be lost.

August 23-33 7/7/07 2:19 AM Page 24
CONSTRUCTION LAW
CHANGES TO THE
MICHIGAN
CONSTRUCTION
LIEN ACT
By Bruce M. Pregler
E
ffective January 3, 2007, the State and laborer named in the sworn state- tor’s sworn statement to avoid liens,
Legislature has modified the ment. If a subcontractor, supplier, or unless the owner/designee takes steps
Construction Lien Act to impose laborer who has provided a notice of to give notice of receipt of a sworn state-
additional duties upon project owners or furnishing or who is named in the ment to each supplier or subcontractor
designees with respect to sworn state- sworn statement makes a request, the who provided a notice of furnishing, or
ments and lien waivers. These addition- owner, lessee, or designee shall provid- if notice of furnishing is excused under
al duties may be imposed upon general ed the requester a copy of the sworn the act, to each subcontractor or supplier
contractors and construction managers statement within 10 business days after listed on the sworn statement. The
as they are often identified as the receiving the request. owner/designee is permitted to give
designees on Notice of Under the prior version of the lien act, such notice in writing, in person or by
Commencements. project owners could avoid paying twice telephone under the new lien act. The
In regards to the sworn statement, the for work performed, if the owner relied owner/designee is required to give a
applicable changes to the lien act are upon the sworn statement when making supplier or subcontractor if requested, a
codified in MCLA 570.1110(6) that pro- payment to the contractor. To take copy of the sworn statements within 10
vides: advantage of this protection, the business days of said request.
(6) On receipt of a sworn statement, Construction Lien Act mandated that the Interestingly, the new lien act amend-
the owner, lessee, or designee shall project owner obtain a fully executed ment is silent as to how the
give notice of its receipt, either in writ- sworn statement containing all the sub- owner/designee is to document this
ing, by telephone, or personally, to each contractors and suppliers. notice to suppliers and subcontractors.
subcontractor, supplier, and laborer The new amended Michigan In the absence of any statutory directive,
who has provided a notice of furnish- Construction Lien Act adds an addition- the owner/designee should be prepared
ing under section 109 or, if a notice of al obligation to project owners/ to provide some form of evidence
furnishing is excused under section 108 designees. The owners/designees can (preferably written) that the required
or 108a, to each subcontractor, supplier, no longer merely rely upon the contrac- notice was in fact tendered to the suppli-

August 23-33 7/7/07 2:19 AM Page 25
ers and subcontractors on the subject

project.
These statutory amendments have
also caused modifications in the statuto-
FACCA
ry sworn statement form. As a conse-
quence, all laborers, suppliers and sub-
contractors who issue sworn statements
RICHTER &
should take steps to modify their sworn
statement forms accordingly. The new
sworn statement form can be seen under
PREGLER, P.C.
the lien act MCLA 570.1110(4).
The amended Construction Lien Act
Lawyers Specializing In Construction Litigation
also imposes an obligation upon project
■ Contract Disputes ■ A/E Liability
owners/designees to verify the authen-
ticity of a lien waiver received by a pro-
■ Corporate Matters ■ Arbitration
ject owner or designee. The majority of
■ Lien & Bond Claims ■ Construction Claims
the substantive lien waiver changes can
be found at MCLA 570.1115(7) that pro- Patrick A. Facca Gerald J. Richter Bruce M. Pregler
vides as follows: Michael A. Hassan
(7) Subject to subsection (8), an
owner, lessee, or designee shall not rely
6050 LIVERNOIS • TROY, MI 48098
on a full or partial unconditional or
conditional waiver of lien provided by PH . 248-813-9900 • FAX 248-813-9901
a person other than the lien claimant WWW.FRPLAW.COM
named in the waiver if the lien
claimant has either filed a notice of fur-
nishing under section 109 or is excused
from filing a notice of furnishing under
section 108 or 108a unless the owner,
lessee, or designee has first verified the
authenticity of the lien waiver with the
lien claimant either in writing, by tele-
phone or personally.
In essence, the new language requires
the owner/designee to verify the
authenticity of a waiver. If the project
owner/designee has provided a notice
of commencement as mandated by the
Construction Lien Act, the project
owner/designee is required to verify the
authenticity of each full or partial
unconditional or conditional waiver of
lien provided by a laborer, supplier or
subcontractor who has issued a notice of
furnishing on the subject project. If the
project owner/designee has not provid-
ed a notice of commencement, the pro-
ject owner/designee must verify the
authenticity of each full or partial
unconditional waiver of lien provided
by a person/company other than the
lien claimant named in the waiver. The
amended act provides that the authen-
ticity of the waivers be verified by the
project owner/designee with the lien
claimant either in writing, by telephone
or personally. As with the sworn state-

August 23-33 7/16/07 11:19 AM Page 26
CONSTRUCTION LAW
ment portion of the amended statute, the

act does not specify a particular proce-
dure for documenting verification. As a
consequence, a project owner/designee
should be prepared to provide some
form of evidence (preferably written)
that the project owner/designee has
taken steps to verify the waivers.
The Amended Michigan Construction
Lien Act has also modified the lien waiv-
er forms. Changes to the lien waiver
forms for partial unconditional, full
unconditional, partial conditional and
full conditional waivers can be seen
under MCLA 570.1115(9).
It’s obvious the new changes impose a
burden upon the owners, lessees or
designees. On occasions, general con-
tractors or construction managers will
shoulder this new burden as they are
identified as designees on Notices of
Commencements. To avoid this new
burden, some general contractors and
construction managers will attempt to
shift this verification obligation on to its
subcontractors by contract. It is
unknown whether a court would
enforce such a contractual provision that
shifts this statutory burden.
Despite these changes to the
Construction Lien Act, the new obliga-
®
tions may be short lived on commercial
projects. State Senators Garcia and
A Division Of SafeWorks LLC Basham are introducing legislation
(Senate Bill 487) to make technical cor-
rections to the Amended Construction
Lien Act. Senate Bill 487, still pending at
publication time, would make the
Protect Your World amended changes made earlier this year
applicable only to residential construc-
tion projects. Consequently, the afore-
with Spiders
described changes may be short lived.
Personnel/Debris
Safety Net Systems However, for now owners, designees,
lessees and contractors must be aware of
the new burdens with respect to sworn
• Expert Installation
• Protect Workers, The Public, statements and lien waivers.

And Adjacent Properties
About the Author: Bruce M. Pregler, J.D., is

• Fall Protection
• Personnel and Debris Nets a partner in the law firm of Facca, Richter &
Pregler, P.C., a Troy-based law firm
specializing in construction litigation and
Spider the representation of contractors, design
A Division of SafeWorks, LLC professionals, developers and suppliers.
Mr. Pregler is also a past chairman of
28825 Goddard Road, Suite 108
CAM’s Board of Directors.
Romulus, MI 48174-2701
Phone: 734-229-0850

August 23-33 7/7/07 2:20 AM Page 27
August 23-33 7/7/07 2:20 AM Page 28
CONSTRUCTION LAW
The Updated A201 and

Resolving Claims:
Changes on the Horizon
by: John M. Sier, Esquire and John V. Tocco, Esquire
ver the last several decades, the
O American Institute of Architects

(AIA) has promulgated numerous
contract documents for the construction
industry. Virtually all contractors involved
with commercial construction are familiar
with the AIA A201-1997 General Conditions
of the Contract for Construction (A201-97).
Within the A201-97 are specific provisions
describing the process for resolving claims
and disputes between the owner and con-
tractor. An updated version of the general Over the last two years, the A201-97 has
conditions (A201-07), currently under been going through another round of pro-
review and tentatively due out in late 2007, posed revisions in anticipation of the 2007
may include significant revisions to the dis- edition. The process generally entails docu-
pute resolution process. ment drafts by various committees, which
are then circulated among select groups
PERIODIC CHANGES within and outside of the AIA. The com-
The A201 in various forms has been in cir- ments and suggestions by these groups are
culation for over a century. Approximately then considered in the development of the
every ten years the AIA updates the docu- new version.
ment, revising the language for various rea-
sons, including: DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE A201-97
• Certain provisions are unclear and EDITION
subject to competing interpretations, The claims and dispute resolution process
precipitating project disputes and delineated in the A201-97 is relatively
lawsuits; straightforward. Essentially a three-tier
• Design requirements and responsi process, with litigation as the unofficial
bilities, as well as construction means fourth tier, the process is represented by the
and methods, advance and change, flowchart on the following page.
requiring an attendant revision in the
documents;
• Input on changing markets from risk AIA A201-97 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
management groups, such as PROCESS FLOWCHART FOR A
insurance and surety providers; GENERAL CONTRACTOR SUBMITTING A
• Court decisions based on major CLAIM
litigation arising out of the Step 1: The contractor submits the claim
agreements; and to the architect for an initial decision. The
• Project participants, including architect may request additional informa-
owners and contractors, take issue tion, such as more thorough documentation.
with certain provisions and demand Although not specifically stated, the archi-
revisions to more closely address tect usually confers with the owner before
their needs. making a determination; the A201-97, how-
An example of a previous revision was ever, provides that the architect is not to
the inclusion of the mediation process as a “show partiality” to either the owner or the
necessary step in the dispute resolution pro- contractor. If the claim is approved, a
cedures described in A201-97. The drafters change order is issued and the matter is
recognized the trend in the legal communi- resolved.
ty, and society in general, that mediation Step 2: Once the architect renders a deci-
was becoming a viable method for resolving sion, the dissatisfied party may submit a
disputes. demand for mediation as a precondition to

August 23-33 7/7/07 2:20 AM Page 29
Dispute Resolution Flow Chart A201-97
e
e
e
G2_CAM_v3_06 7/12/06 1:47 PM Page 1
e GEOTECHNICAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
arbitration. The owner and contractor then

participate in the mediation process, under
the rules set forth by the American
PHASE IIS CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERING
PHASCINATE
Arbitration Association (AAA). The AAA
maintains a panel of trained construction
mediators to facilitate the resolution of pro-
ject disputes. If the mediation is successful,
either a settlement agreement is reached or a
change order is issued and the matter is
US
resolved.
Step 3: If no settlement is reached in G2 can’t wait to start digging for solutions to your most
mediation, the parties are considered to be
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then demand arbitration pursuant to the
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their respective cases, the arbitrator sets Brighton, MI: 810.224.4330
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firmed by a court with the appropriate juris-
diction. www.g2consultinggroup.com
Step 4: Although not specifically
addressed in A201-97, the parties may have
the ability to initiate litigation either to
avoid arbitration or to challenge the arbitra-
tor’s final decision. This course of action is UNEARTHING POSSIBILITIES

August 23-33 7/7/07 2:20 AM Page 30
CONSTRUCTION LAW
problematic at best, since the wording of the the parties, and recommend approval or • With extensive discovery demands and
arbitration provision satisfies the require- denial to the owner. Previous versions of numerous motions, arbitrations have
ments of state and federal law, allowing a the A201 assigned this responsibility to the become too legalistic and now mirror liti-
court to compel the parties to participate in architect; subject to the final language in the gation, but without the meaningful appel-
arbitration. Furthermore, convincing a court A201-07, if the owner does not designate an late review;
to overturn an arbitrator’s decision, while IDM, the architect retains these responsibili- • Delays and foot-dragging by one or
not impossible, is nonetheless a rare occur- ties. more of the parties can extend the time it
rence. Courts are reluctant to disturb an The second potential change provides the takes to resolve a matter to such an extent
award handed down by someone perceived parties the option to choose litigation over that some believe arbitration takes longer
to be an expert in the construction industry, arbitration when a binding decision is nec- than litigation;
particularly where the parties selected the essary. There have been lengthy discussions • The perception that arbitrators allow
process and had at least some input on the regarding the inclusion of a menu of dispute admission of excessive amounts of irrele-
arbitrator. resolution options in the owner/general vant testimony and evidence, prolonging
contractor agreement whereby the parties the proceedings; and
CHANGES TO A201-07 can implement their choices. • The arbitrator is perceived to have the
Of special note to contractors are three pro- If arbitration is designated as a compo- authority to make an award that not only
posed changes to the dispute resolution nent of the process, it likely would have to does not have to comport with the con-
process that may appear in A201-07. The first, be demanded simultaneously with media- tract, but also can ignore prevailing statu-
which may significantly diminish the archi- tion, which remains a mandatory step in the tory and case law.
tect’s role in the dispute process, is the ability process. The original promise of arbitration Working in conjunction with the
at the outset of the project to designate an was that it was a cost-effective and efficient owner/contractor agreement, the A201-07
Initial Decision Maker (IDM). Although at method of dispute resolution, presided over addresses these complaints by providing the
this time the exact procedure for IDM selec- by highly trained arbitrators with extensive parties with the ability to choose which dis-
tion has yet to be determined, the authority to knowledge of the construction industry. pute resolution techniques will be included
make the choice will probably be retained by There is a perception, strongly disputed by in the process. Some owners and their attor-
the owner and memorialized in the some, that arbitration does not work as well neys strongly believe that participating in
owner/general contractor contract. as it once did. Some of the complaints arbitration may not always be in their best
The IDM will review claims, consult with against arbitration include: interests. Moreover, some parties take the
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August 23-33 7/16/07 11:20 AM Page 31
position that choosing litigation provides a Step 2: The contractor submits the claim Step 4: If the mediation ends in an
tactical advantage over a financially weaker to the IDM who has authority, with respect impasse, and litigation was chosen in the
opponent. The threat of litigation, a poten- to claims, similar to the architect in previous owner/contractor agreement as the binding
tially costly endeavor, could act as a sword A201 versions. resolution method, the matter would be
of Damocles hanging over the opposing Step 3: Participation in mediation is a filed in the appropriate court. If arbitration
party’s head, possibly creating an atmos- condition precedent to the binding dispute was chosen, however, AAA would adminis-
phere for a quicker settlement of the matter. resolution phase. Unless the parties agree ter the matter unless the parties have agreed
A third change proposed for A201-07 otherwise, the AAA is named as the admin- otherwise. The parties can attempt to join
involves joinder, which is the legal concept istrator of the mediation process. other entities as needed to achieve a
that allows parties to a suit or arbitration to
bring in additional parties when there are
common factual or legal issues. The lan-
guage in previous A201 versions specifically
prevented any other party, typically the
architect, from being joined in an arbitration
between the owner and contractor. This
prohibition is partly removed in A201-07,
unless another document, such as the
owner/architect agreement, specifically pre-
cludes joinder. Furthermore, although pre-
vious general conditions were silent on join-
der of subcontractors to an arbitration,
A201-07 specifically allows it.
This flowchart represents the proposed

PROCESS A201-07
dispute resolution process now under con-

sideration for the A201-07.
Step 1: The initial steps in the process
occur at the signing of the owner/contractor
agreement; the IDM is designated and the
binding dispute resolution process is chosen
and they are memorialized in the agree-
ment.
Clark Hill’s Construction Team is

made up of attorneys from multiple
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August 23-33 7/16/07 11:21 AM Page 32
CONSTRUCTION LAW
complete resolution in the matter. This may dispute resolution selections with respect to John V. Tocco, Esq.
be problematic, however, unless the other the IDM and binding resolution method, John V. Tocco is an attorney and principal of
entities’ contracts clearly require participa- and determine what impact those choices Tocco Construction Consulting, concentrat-
tion in the ADR process. may have on the execution of the project. ing his professional practice on providing
Step 5: If litigation was chosen as the mediation and arbitration services for con-
binding resolution method, one or more of About the Authors: struction disputes and construction claims
the parties may have the right to appeal the and project management consulting.
verdict to a higher court. If arbitration was John M. Sier, Esq. For many years Tocco worked as an estima-
the chosen method, one or more of the par- John Sier is a Principal at the law firm of tor and project manager for general contrac-
ties may object to the arbitrator’s award in Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & tors, as well as serving as Director of
Sherbrook. He concentrates much of his prac- Operations for a subcontractor/supplier.
the appropriate court. As previously dis-
tice in dispute avoidance and resolution in Tocco is an adjunct professor of civil engi-
cussed, however, overturning an arbitra-
construction contract issues as the head of the neering at Lawrence Technological
tor’s award is improbable, at best.
firm’s commercial litigation group. In the University. He has taught courses in ethics,
In the past, when a contractor received project management, cost estimating, risk
construction industry, Sier has experience in
the project documents that included the management and construction law. Tocco
analyzing legal aspects of various project
A201-97 general conditions, it knew what its also serves as an adjunct professor of law at
delivery methods, including drafting con-
rights were with respect to claims and dis- struction contracts, as well as assisting in Michigan State University, teaching a course
pute resolution. The proposed A201-07, dispute resolution and project completion. He in construction law.
however, may contain language that could currently serves on contract document com-
significantly impact the process. Moreover, mittees for national organizations working on
the revisions will likely impact subcontract revisions to various construction industry
language and the participation of subcon- contracts. He received his Juris Doctor and
tractors in the dispute resolution process. Master of Arts in Mass Communication and
Prior to signing the owner/contractor Journalism from Drake University Law
agreement, the contractor should review the School and Graduate School in 1986.
Kotz, Sangster,
Wysocki and Berg, P.C.
Construction Law Specialists
• LITIGATION
• ARBITRATION
• CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
• EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR
• CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS
• REPRESENTING
- GENERAL CONTRACTORS
- SUBCONTRACTORS
- DEVELOPERS
- OWNERS, AND MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
Solving corporate and litigation problems
for the construction industry
Detroit Birmingham
400 Renaissance Center Suite 3400 300 Park Street, Suite 265
Detroit, Michigan 48243-1618 Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Telephone: (313) 259-8300 Telephone: (248) 646-1050
Facsimile: (313) 259-1451 Facsimile: (248) 646-1054
WWW.KOTZSANGSTER.COM

August 23-33 7/7/07 2:20 AM Page 33
Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:06 PM Page 34
INTERIORS/
ACT HONORS INTEXT

FINISHES
AWARD WINNERS
2006
Pictured This Page: 2006 EFIS INTEX Awards Winner Saylor’s, Inc. / Monroe Trust and Bank
The
Architectural Contractors Trade
Association (ACT) recognized
four area subcontractors for their
hard work and outstanding construction
projects at the 12th Annual INTEX
Photos by John Lacy Photograhpy: Proshooter.com Achievement Awards on April 24, 2007 at
the Troy Marriott. This year's INTEX

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:06 PM Page 35
Pictured: 2006 Resilient Floor INTEX Winners Master Craft

Carpet Service - University of Detroit Mercy Calihan Hall
Award ceremony honored the nominees and it is ACT's honor to offer the INTEX
and their projects that were completed in Award to acknowledge the best of the
2006. best."
Over 230 people attended the event
including ACT members, industry and 2006 EIFS INTEX WINNER
union partners. "This year marked an SAYLOR'S, INC.- MONROE TRUST AND
attendance record for the INTEX Awards. BANK
It was wonderful to have a great turnout • Project Manager: Jess Saylor
for what has developed into such a pres- • GC: Thompson-Phelan Group
tigious event," stated Philip G. Ruffin,
"We are proud of the • Architect: Barber-McCalpin Associates
ACT's president. "We are proud of the accomplishments the 2006 EIFS Finalist and Nominees were:
accomplishments the subcontractor com- • Pontiac Ceiling & Partition - NCG
munity has made to our industry.
subcontractor community Cinemas
Working together as a team with the own- has made to our industry. “ • Saylor's, Inc. - Mercedes of Ann Arbor
ers, architects, general contractors and Philip G. Ruffin, ACT's president • ADM Construction - Eight Mile
our union labor force demonstrates the Foodland
quality product we build in Michigan, • ADM Construction - Orchard Office
Center

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:07 PM Page 36
INTERIORS/
FINISHES
Pictured (Left): 2006 Resilient Floor INTEX Winners Shock Brothers

Floorcovering - Henry Ford Ambulatory Care Center

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:07 PM Page 37
2006 RESILIENT FLOOR INTEX WINNER

MASTER CRAFT CARPET SERVICE - UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
MERCY CALIHAN HALL
• Project Manager: Garrett Maki
• GC: Seelbinder
• Architect: Integrated Design Solutions
2006 RESILIENT FLOOR FINALIST AND NOMINEES WERE:

• Shock Brothers Floorcovering -
Northridge Church, Phase III
• Turner Brooks, Inc.- Warren City Hall & Library
• Continental Interiors - DMC Children's Hospital
• Continental Interiors - St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Surgery
• Master Craft Carpet Service - Bon Secours Hospital
• Shock Brothers Floorcovering - Henry Ford Ambulatory
Care Center
2006 CARPENTRY INTEX WINNER

NELSON MILL CO. - HENRY FORD AMBULATORY CARE CENTER
• Project Manager: David M. Hug
• GC: George W. Auch Company
• Architect: Hobbs + Black Associates, Inc.
2006 FINALIST AND NOMINEES WERE:

• Brunt Associates- Northridge Church, Phase III
• George I. Landry- Ernst & Young US, LLP
2006 WALL & CEILING INTEX WINNER

HURON ACOUSTIC TILE CO. - THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS,
BUNKER SUITES & NORTH ENTRY ADDITION
• Project Manager: Michael Olejarczyk
• GC: Frank Rewold & Son, Inc.
• Architect: Rossetti Architects
• Suppliers: Allied Interior Products, Oakland Building
Materials, Rice Associates and Selleck Architectural Sales
2006 WALL & CEILING FINALIST AND NOMINEES WERE:

• Brinker Team Construction- Detroit Institute of Arts
• Pontiac Ceiling & Partition- U of M Computer Science &
Engineering
• Acoustic Ceiling & Partition- St. Peter Lutheran Church
• Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition- Lear Corp Headquarters
• Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition- St. Joseph Mercy Hospital,
Ann Arbor, Surgery Expansion
• Barton Malow Interiors- Warren City Hall & Library
THE INTEX AWARD IS SPONSORED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL

CONTRACTORS INDUSTRY FUND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS
YEAR'S SPONSORS, WHICH ARE LISTED BELOW:
TITLE SPONSOR: The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters
PRESENTING SPONSORS: Carpenters Labor Management

Productivity & Training Program, Laborers' Local 1076 Labor
Management Trust

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:07 PM Page 38
WORKERS’
COMPENSATION
PLAN
A group self-insured Workers’
Compensation plan
providing participants with
programs and services
superior to those available
through the traditional
insurance approach.
COMPARE THE
DIFFERENCE!
For further information and
comparative cost proposal —
Call Dee Macy at CAM-COMP
(586) 790-7810
Fax (586) 790-7929
Toll Free (888) 867-4764
34360 Harper Ave.
Clinton Twp., MI 48035-3704

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:07 PM Page 39
Pictured (Left): 2006 Resilient Floor INTEX

Winners Huron Acousitc Tile Company, Inc. -
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Bunker Suites &
North Entry Addition
GOLD SPONSORS: AGC of Michigan,

Brinker Team Construction,
Denn-Co Construction,
Livonia Building Materials and
Michigan Building & Construction
Trades Council
Oakland Companies
Turner Brooks, Inc.
Silver and Bronze sponsors:
Acoustic Ceiling & Partition
Allied Interior Products
Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition
B&D Drywall Supply
Bultynck & Co., PLLC
Commercial Building Materials
Construction Association of Michigan
Painters District Council #22
Pontiac Ceiling & Partition
Ryan Building Materials
Saylor's, Inc.
Selleck Architectural Sales
Mechanical Contractors Association, Detroit
NAI Acoustical & EIFS Distributors
Novara, Teisija and McGuire, PLLC
ABOUT THE INTEX AWARD

Established in 1995 to acknowledge out-
standing achievements in Interior &
Exterior construction projects, the INTEX
Achievement Award is open to all union
contractors. The ACT Promotion
Committee and a panel of architects judge
the projects. Criteria for the award Distributed by:
include aesthetics, workmanship, and dif- Frames, Doors & Hardware, Inc.
ficulty of installation and scope of work. 33026 Capitol
In the past 12 years over 31 INTEX Livonia, Michigan 48150
Awards have been given out to 23 differ- (734) 422-5400 • FAX (734) 422-6335
ent companies.
118 Rosehill, Suite 1
Jackson, Michigan 49202
(517) 787-5800 Fax (517) 787-3034

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:08 PM Page 40
INTERIORS/
FINISHES
hen employees moved into “It was a big undertaking, and it’s now The center’s planners first evaluated the
the new Trott Financial a showcase. We aimed to create a comfort- space before sorting through swatches.
Center in Farmington Hills able environment for employees and cus- Some of the building’s infrastructure that
this spring, they walked into one of tomers,” said Peggy Krug, senior vice had been in place for two decades
Michigan’s largest renovation projects of president of American Processing remained in place, but much of it had to
the year. Beyond the soothing design in Company, Farmington Hills, the group be redressed. Not only did they aim for a
some areas and the vibrant feel in others, heading the renovation and move for four productive workplace, they planned for
each renovated inch represented the latest companies now in the Trott Financial security, regulation and environmental
trends, products and methodologies in Center. factors. Each of those factors helped lay
interior design and finishes. In order to achieve a balance of design the groundwork for all of the center’s final
The 200,000-square-foot commercial and function, the company called in some design elements.
building was once Compuware’s head- of Michigan’s well-connected experts in “Every detail serves a purpose.
quarters (prior to its relocation to down- space planning and design. The team had Whether a client is expanding, downsiz-
town Detroit). Now the building houses a far bigger challenge than making the ing or adapting technology, interior
almost 700 employees who occupy 600 space look nice. They had to meet strin- designers should be prepared to meet the
work stations and 70 private offices in gent requirements – and the driving forces project goals and provide innovative solu-
neutral, caramel and blue tones. behind many of today’s interiors. tions,” said Harrell Scarcello, founder of

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:08 PM Page 41
Scarcello Associates, a space planning and come in. They want to do what’s good for design community needs to understand
interiors design firm in Bingham Farms. the planet. That’s a paradigm shift in the regulation and trends. A lot of com-
As a professional trend, technology thinking,” said Kenn Rickman of Interface, petitors stay in old ways. That won’t help
allows interior designers to plan spaces Inc., a leading producer of modular carpet. them to grow,” said Miller.
with a real world-view. Moving from More companies are focusing on “cra-
pencil and paper sketches, technology and dle to cradle” manufacturing. For exam- TODAY’S TOP-TO-BOTTOM INTERIOR
new software help designers tailor to spe- ple, carpet business sample books are TRENDS
cific needs. Clients can view a 3-D interior being supplemented or replaced by super The influences run deep in other interi-
solution – with accurate space specifica- realistic printed digital images. Some or elements and finishes. Following are
tions and color – long before implement- companies are setting up local recycling some of the products and ideas in today’s
ing a plan. centers that will take any brand of carpet. marketplace, as researched and provided
Every part of today’s rooms is influ- Regulation is another big driver for by Scarcello Associates.
An interior trend with a sophisticated, upscale look.
enced by several factors, but environmen- interiors. For example, the government is • Ceilings with Style – “Looking up” has
tal concern is particularly moving interior legislating less light per square foot. become more interesting in newly created
designers and manufacturers to change. Several states have energy level codes. interiors. Ceilings are becoming more
“Everyone is trying to get on the environ- California is driving the standards, but deconstructed. Moving away from the old
mental bandwagon. Corporations are pret- Michigan is adapting quickly, according to model of a monolithic plane, ceilings are
ty good about environmental stewardship Mike Miller of Gasser Bush Associates, more interesting with options such as per-
and have the dollars. Small retailers don’t Livonia, a southeastern Michigan lighting forated metal. Several manufacturers
have money, but the calls are starting to representative for 85 manufacturers. “The have curved acrylic panels and interest-

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:09 PM Page 42
INTERIORS/
FINISHES
Earth tones with strong hints of copper

and terra cotta areas are popular. New
trends include accents of bright lemon
yellows, lime green, fuchsia and
orange. Subtle colors that play with
different textures can be used to
create interest.

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/16/07 11:25 PM Page 43
ing drywall drops that break up the ceil-

ing plane. Exposed ceilings continue to be
a popular choice for an edgy, loft-like feel.
• No More Wallflowers - Wall finishes

have changed less dramatically. Many
changes are driven by environmental con-
cerns. Paint is now available in low- or
no-VOC formulas. Vinyl wall covering is
increasingly being fabricated without
harmful PVCs. Metallic inks remain pop-
ular in wall coverings.
Translucent polyester resin or acrylic Commercial • Industrial
Since 1974
panels and art glass are great tools for lay-
ering space and allowing a subtle com-
plexity to vertical space and sight lines.
Many acrylic panels are sandwiched over
interesting grasses, leaves or beads and
also have environmental properties. Slab
27270 Gloede • Warren, Michigan 48088
type art glass can also be used for stair
railings and treads. Ph (586) 774-3110
High performance paints are increas- Fax (586) 774-7055
ingly being used for durable surfaces in
high traffic areas. Some have a slight
metallic sheen for a sophisticated upscale
look.
• Flooring Futures - Environmental

stewardship has become a major influ-
ence in floorings. Carpeting now comes
with higher recyclable content with
longer life. Customers can ask vendors
for service quotes to assure that replaced
flooring won’t end up in landfills. And
environmentally friendly doesn’t neces-
sarily equate to “drab.” There’s an
increased use of carpet tile with patterns
THICK
and textures that are less regimented. The
patterns are designed for use of the entire
product, not a design needing specific
configurations that would leave scrap.
Carpet patterns are becoming bolder with
unexpected color combinations and less
directional designs. Interior designers
OR THIN
will often use texture rather than color to
add interest.
Ceramic tile, carpet and resilient floor-
ing have been commonplace in the past.
Natural materials are in. New resilient
options in linoleum are going main-
stream. Linoleum offers stylish designs TERRAZZO can be thick or thin,
and environmental advantages. It is nat- DETROIT TERRAZZO heavy or light, textured or smooth,
ural and renewable.
Environmental friendly and good-look- CONTRACTORS exotic or conservative, plain or col-
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as bamboo and mesquite. Cork flooring is
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making a big return, but customers need 313-535-7700 TERRAZZO has the answer.

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:09 PM Page 44
INTERIORS/
FINISHES
to be careful of maintenance. Recycled • Trends Lighting the Way - Much like supplement is needed. Indirect and natur-
rubber also is used for a good resilient flooring, lighting is designed with the al lighting will continue to emerge.
surface. environment in mind. Trends are leaning The human-controlled light switch will
Other flooring trends include ceramic toward lower wattage that results in ener- become non-existent. Lighting sensors
tile in large sizes and interesting trim gy savings. Architects and designers had will determine occupancy before turning
pieces including metal. Porcelain now been building with high lights levels. on (or off) the lights.
comes with a subtle stone, textile or Now there’s a tendency to design lower In lighting design, color and pattern are
leather look. ambient lights with task lights where a driving forces. For example, a north wall
CAM Magazine Ad 2006_B.qxp 11/30/2005 12:51 PM Page 1
may be purple, a south wall may be yel-
low, and the lights have gels and filters to
splash more color. Light emitting diode
(LED) lighting provides dynamic color
options and accents. It also provides
energy savings and better maintenance.
For years lighting was the parabolic,
throwing down straight down light
Michigan’s Law Firm
streams. Now lighting technology is
spreading the beams in all directions.
New light bulbs and lamps are allowing
Designing Legal Solutions

innovative solutions.
• Millwork & Cabinetry - There are new

Responsive • Trusted • Proven surfacing products for counter tops.
Many have a less plastic look and some
Plunkett & Cooney has been a part of Michigan's new engineered quartz surfaces have
depth and an intriguing sparkle. Vertical
construction industry since 1913. Our 150 attorneys will surfaces are still commonly laminate or
work with you to resolve litigation and to provide wood, but there are some interesting
custom corporate services to help you build options on the market. Substrates made
your business and achieve your goals. without formaldehyde will increasingly
be specified. Countertops in concrete and
environmenal terrazzo-like materials are
• Dedicated Construction Law Department also being used in commercial projects.
• Construction Contract Negotiation & Claims Exotic woods and interesting grain pat-
terns and stains are popular, but all smart
• Legal Issues for Design Professionals
designers stay away from any endan-
• Construction Liens & Bonding gered woods.
• Insurance/Surety Issues
• Topping it with Color and Furniture -
• Construction Litigation Earth tones with strong hints of copper
and terra cotta areas are still popular. New
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
trends include accents of bright lemon yel-
• Labor & Employment Law lows, lime green, fuchsia and orange.
Subtle colors that play with different tex-
• MIOSHA Compliance & Litigation
tures can be used to create interest.
• Worker's Compensation For a new look, all of these colors are
• Appellate Law Department coupled with bright white furniture.
Flooring textures are more pronounced
with area rugs reminiscent of ‘60s shag.
To find out how Plunkett & Cooney can assist in the
success of your business, contact Scott H. Sirich at
(248) 594-8228 or at ssirich@plunkettcooney.com Julie Metea is a freelance writer and principal
of MessageCoach Public Relations, based in
Dearborn. She specializes in communication
Bloomfield Hills • Columbus • Detroit • East Lansing • Flint campaigns for companies in the commercial
Grand Rapids • Kalamazoo • Marquette real estate and automotive industries. To learn
Mt. Clemens • Petoskey more about her company and its services, visit
www.messagecoach.com.

Aug 34-45 Intex 7/9/07 9:20 PM Page 45
August 46-55 Highlight 7/6/07 2:36 PM Page 46
TURNING AN OLD
FACTORY INTO AN
IDEA
MACHINE
B Y M A RY E . K R E M P O S K Y, A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R
P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y S T E V E P E T R O V I C H , S H O OT E R Z
Before light, there was the void. Before the great novel, War and Peace,
there was the blank page. Creating something out of nothing is all in a
day’s work at Latcha + Associates, a marketing firm specializing in print
media primarily for automotive clients. With the skill of Contracting
Management Corporation and Hoeft Associates, Inc., both of Brighton,
Latcha has turned a blasé, dilapidated blank of a building into an office as
original as the marketing materials pouring out of its studios, work spaces
and the company’s own Zen Room, an unconventional brainstorming
space devoted to generating a host of bright ideas for its clientele.

E
Structural steel becomes custom furniture in this unconventional conference room table for
Rocket Studios, a company under the growing Latcha umbrella.
“We wanted to create a space that is orig- keting company specializing in complex, seating. Vacant for four years, the building
inal and imaginative, and fill it with surprises multi-channel communications. At the com- sprouted potholes in its parking lot and
that inspire unconventional thought,” said pany’s new Farmington Hills address, the dis- weeds near its loading dock. But the price
Dave Latcha, president of this growing com- carded and the industrial are the raw materi- was right, and with a modest budget and a
pany in a recent press release. Turning con- als of interior design. A rolling metal door wealth of creative ideas, Latcha purchased
crete into a koi pond, a structural I beam into becomes a ceiling-to-floor window blind in the 75,000-square-foot building in 2004,
track lighting, and asphalt into infill for a the main conference room, and an electrical turning “an eyesore into eye candy,” said
door panel certainly fits the bill. wire drum wrapped in corrugated metal is a Latcha Vice President Lisa Chapman in a
The building’s unusual use of common table base in another of the facility’s four recent press release. “We bought it, tore
materials loosens those tightly wound brain distinctly “unstuffy” conference rooms. everything out (including our hair), then
circuits and lets the creativity flow, helping The interior’s retro industrial approach is rebuilt it, made some really cool stuff, and
Latcha’s talented employees produce certainly apropos for a building that once the next thing we knew, we were moving in
inspired materials for this full-service mar- housed an assembly line for automotive 70 plus employees.”

The interior celebrates all things automo-

tive and industrial. A collage of old highway
signs fills the glass panels of a conference
table custom fabricated by Jeremy Wetzel,
CMC project superintendent. In this same
account conference room, a lighting soffit
suspended over the table is an actual glass
and aluminum industrial door, and asphalt
infill replaces the traditional glass in the
panels of the entry door.
At Latcha + Associates, add inspiration to
the list of things money can’t buy. Formed of
creative, cost-conscious elements, the
Latcha facility proves originality doesn’t
require a big budget. “We have had clients
come in and say, ‘Gee, you spent a lot of
money on this,’ but we didn’t,” said Scott T.
Hoeft, AIA, principal of Hoeft Associates now
a part of Marquette-based Integrated
Design, Inc. “We used common materials in
unusual and creative ways.”
The project’s creative twists required a flex-
ible design and construction team during
demolition and throughout construction.
Every piece of demolished material was scru-
tinized for possible reuse and reincarnation
PHOTO BY KEVIN WETZEL as a surprise element in the building interior.
A large number of owner-driven changes
Expert airbrushing and application of epoxy sealant
converted concrete into a faux Koi pond. kept the project team on its toes throughout
the course of construction. “That’s part of the
A full-service kitchen (below) is part of this tropical reason Latcha wanted to work with
paradise in the middle of an office building. Contracting Management Corporation,
because we are flexible,” said Kevin Wetzel,
president of Contracting Management Corp.
Hoeft Associates provided a steady stream of
new and revised drawings to keep pace with
the imagination of Latcha + Associates whose
owners took an active role in shaping this
uncommon facility.
The subcontracting team also stepped up
to the plate. “I had to have contractors who
were willing to change constantly,” said
Wetzel. “I held weekly coordination meet-
ings with the trades every Tuesday morning
in the commons area.” Contracting
Management Corp. assembled this dynamic
project team, including Hoeft Associates,
Inc., T2 Designs, Inc., a Brighton-based interi-
or design firm, and a long list of skilled con-
struction trade professionals who helped
shape this unorthodox building near Grand
River Avenue and Halsted Road. “It was the
most difficult but most rewarding project I
have ever done,” said Wetzel. “It is a beauti-
ful building. I was a musician for most of my
life, so I understand the creative side. I also
understand the construction side of the
building, meaning ‘Let’s make a decision,
let’s do it, and get it built.’”

A STARTER HOME
Wetzel’s inner musician and inner contrac-
tor learned to work in perfect harmony to
build this unique facility. His inner develop-
er also brought a different set of talents to
the table, for Wetzel even managed the two-
year search for the right building beginning
in 2002. His experience bringing European
companies to Michigan and aiding the firms
with property acquisition and development
was a definite boon to the project. “With the
help of Jon Savoy, principal at Lee &
Associates (a Novi real estate services firm),
we spent two years looking at buildings and
providing Latcha with various design-build
proposals,” said Wetzel. “Altogether, we
looked at about nine different options
before arriving at renovating the
Farmington Hills building in 2004.”
Planning was in a state of constant flux as
Latcha + Associates is a company in motion,
having generated two spin-off enterprises
during site selection and one in post-con-
struction. Currently, Latcha has 80 employees
and three other companies under its umbrel-
la: Rocket Studios, a full-service production
company for retouching, type and computer-
generated imaging; Shooterz, a photography
group; and Hallwood Studios, a photo/video
studio with a 225-foot-long stage.
Seriously?
Dave Latcha began his enterprise eight
years ago as a company of one working from
his home. Six years later, Latcha had 70
employees working in a cramped 10,000-
square-foot office in Livonia. Contracting
Okay, so our self-image may be a little exaggerated.
Management linked the Livonia office to an
Land Surveying is, though. And, yes , we take it

adjoining 5,000-square-foot office, while Modesty has never been our specialty.
seriously. We may not leap tall buildings,

continuing the search for the perfect piece
but after 25 years of commercial

of real estate with the aid of Lee &
Associates, a real estate service firm in Novi.
The Farmington Hills building was in a
help you build yours .

sorry condition, but this 75,000-square-foot surveying heroics, we can surely
building on a 10-acre site offered room for
expansion and space for a massive indoor
photographic studio. But the tired facility
needed an extreme makeover before
Latcha’s growing family of companies could
call this old seating factory home.
WIRED FOR NEW GROWTH
Raymond J. Donnelly
Beginning in January 2005, Contracting
Management completely gutted the interior
& Associates, Inc.

of this complex of three buildings – the main
masonry and steel building and two pre-
engineered structures - built from roughly
1960 to 1986. The main building now houses Troy, Michigan
(248) 689-5555
Latcha + Associates, a small pre-engineered www.RJDSurveyors.com
building (once freestanding and later
attached) contains the Commons, and the

second pre-engineered structure shelters mechanical units and install 14 new rooftop tinized for possible reuse before being hoist-
Rocket Studios in one portion and Hallwood units. From rooftop units to electrical wiring, ed into the dumpster. “We even stipulated in
Studios in the cavernous back section. Contracting Management Corp. removed it the bidding documents that nothing leave
This structurally sound but seriously dilap- all, bringing the building up to code wire by the site during demolition without
idated building needed some major surgery, wire and pipe by pipe.“The building also had approval,” said Wetzel.
beginning with the installation of a new a great deal of old crock tile sanitary piping One of the salvaged pieces is a mezzanine
EPDM roofing system over 40,000 square feet that was deteriorated or broken,” said originally located in the back of the second
of the complex. The main 32,000-square-foot Wetzel. “We brought in a camera snake to pre-engineered building. “Scott suggested
masonry building was stripped bare, includ- investigate the piping underground, under we take apart the freestanding mezzanine
ing the removal of the beehive of interior the floor, and outside of the building to that was installed right in the middle of the
office walls composed of 8-inch masonry determine location and condition. Overall, high bay shop area that now houses
block walls. Contracting Management Corp. in the main building we saw cut 25 percent Hallwood Studios,” said Wetzel. “It was origi-
also removed a vast web of electrical wiring of the floor to get at the sanitary lines and nally configured in a square with a bridge.
throughout the entire complex. “We proba- utilities.” We cut, reassembled, and reconfigured the
bly removed a million lineal feet of wire from More work was in store below grade as mezzanine, adding it to the existing mezza-
this building,” said Wetzel. Contracting Management Corp. grappled nine in Rocket Studios whose offices are
Contracting Management Corp. replaced with virtually an underground lake. “There is next-door to Hallwood.”
the main building’s original 240-volt electri- a high water table under portions of the This reshuffling of space created a size-
cal service, making the facility compatible building,” said Wetzel. “We had to saw cut able mezzanine capable of housing all the
with the 480-volt service in the newer build- the floor to get into the catch basins and CAD stations for Rocket’s entire 3-D depart-
ing sections. “We had a combination of two reconfigure the piping. In one area, there ment. “We doubled the amount of square
electrical services for the building,” said was actually standing water 4 feet down footage on Rocket’s second or mezzanine
Wetzel. “Since we were replacing 12 of the requiring us to dewater.” level,” said Wetzel. Relocating the freestand-
18 mechanical rooftop units powered by the ing mezzanine also freed space in Hallwood
240, my suggestion was to gut out all the RETHINK, REUSE, RECONFIGURE Studios, creating one of the few places in the
240, reroute the wiring, and power the build- Dewatering, rewiring and rerouting gave country where cars and trucks can be effec-
ing from the 480 service. DTE came and this once-abandoned industrial building a tively photographed indoors. “Hallwood is
removed the transformers and poles.” new lease on life. But Dave Latcha, an afi- as large as an aircraft hanger with a 225-
Contracting Management Corp. brought cionado of industry as art, wasn’t about to foot-long area available to properly photo-
in the heavy artillery in the form of a heli- discard everything in this treasure chest of graph a vehicle indoors, which requires a
copter to remove the 12 old rooftop industrial components. Every item was scru- sizeable distance,” said Wetzel.
Beyond the salvaged mezzanine, compo-
nents large and small were analyzed for
A garage door as lobby windows is another example of Latcha + Associates creative reuse. “As we took items out we were con-
reshuffling of materials. This sectional glass and aluminum door actually allows easy stantly asking how can we reuse it, whether
placement of a revolving display of vehicles – in this case a 1931 Ford Model A. the it was a mezzanine, an overhead door or
piping,” said Hoeft. “We asked how could we
reuse it in the new facility and make it either
a functional component or a piece of art that
would fit the theme of the building.” Latcha
and Chapman even saved a broken pane of
laminated glass, marred by a spider’s web of
fractures, and installed it in Chapman’s
office. The broken glass fits the imaginative
design of this inner executive sanctum con-
taining a reupholstered fiberglass couch
found at a garage sale and other unexpect-
ed pieces.
The discarded was salvaged and the
industrial is exposed throughout the com-
plex. The ceiling and its spaghetti of
mechanical ductwork, gas piping, and con-
duit are exposed in a display of construction
in the raw. Near the executive offices, the
original concrete floor of the seating factory
– complete with a manhole cover salvaged
from another portion of the building - is
exposed and sealed with clear epoxy in
another celebration of the industrial.

KODIAK
CONTRACTING INC.
COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL
DEMOLITION
Interior Specialists
“Congratulations on
a Job Well Done
Latcha Associates and
Contracting Management, Inc.”
Masons infused a new wall with the character of an old warehouse. A swath of exposed block DON A. THORPE, JR. - PRESIDENT
in a corridor leading away from the main lobby is part of the building’s exposed construction.
248.568.5874 • FX. 248.851.5209
dthorpe@comcast.net
THIS OLD OFFICE clouds in the lobby. “Not being a hard, flat
Limited by code and function, many old surface, the open metal clouds expose the
systems and pieces of the original structure structure and add a sense of depth to the
had to be discarded. The solution was to give
new components the character of old indus-
space,” said Hoeft.
Building with your head in the clouds can
State Building
trial materials – and to expose it all. In Latcha be difficult. “The manufacturing spaces of the Products, Inc.
We deliver the
+ Associates’ main office,“new PVC drain pip- ‘60s only had 14- to 16-foot tall ceilings, mak-
ing runs from the roof along the length of a ing the fitting of these multiple layers of
Best Quality
steel column in the main office,” said Wetzel. clouds quite challenging,” said Wetzel.
drywall studs,
“Both pipe and column are fully exposed. “Coordinating the work of the trades needed
track and structrual

Plus the contemporary piping for storm water for this ceiling space - the lighting, ductwork
steel studs with

drainage was constructed to resemble the and the multiple layers of clouds - was quite a
original lead piping from the 1960s – the date challenge.”
accesories for framing.

of the main building’s construction.” Tectum cloud panels float over the main
Resembling an old warehouse or New York Latcha offices, creating a sense of intimacy in
• Furring Channel
loft, a curvilinear, almost ceiling high masonry this large space with exposed ceilings, said
• CRC
wall snakes through the south section of Hoeft. Installing these heavy textured panels
• Angle
Latcha’s main office space, dividing the offices engaged the creative problem-solving skills
• Clips
from the lobby and conference rooms and of the construction team. “The tectum comes
helping to direct traffic flow through the in varying thicknesses, so when we butted
Delivery Available
building’s varied spaces. The masons the panels together the seams were unattrac-
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installing this new 16-inch block and brick tive,” said Wetzel. “We experimented with a
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radius wall were instructed not to lay a pic- router and routed every single edge of every
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ture-perfect wall, but to infuse the new wall cloud panel. Cutting it to size, routing the
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with the character of an old brick warehouse. edges and then installing it took more effort
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and another formed of cherry veneer ply- tectum.”
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wood broken into different shapes and held Whether old, new, secondhand or custom
21751 Schmeman Ave.

in place by exposed bolt fasteners, said Hoeft. fabricated, the interior is a quirky but engag-
All the wall treatments add to the building’s ing blend of materials. Furnishings range
retro industrial edge as do the undulating, from metal airport seating to a stunning chair Warren, MI 48089
multi-layered levels of perforated metal made of innumerable coils of wood encased

Using common materials in uncommon ways a hoist for moving product from dock to shop minum. The actual door is embedded in one
is part of the design magic of the building floor. Each industrial component of the old “garage” door; the second expanse is an actu-
interior. As one example, chain link fencing dock was resurrected in some fashion. “We al rolling door allowing easy placement of a
is used as balcony railing in Rocket Studios.
infilled the opening of the truck dock with revolving display of cool cars in the main
glass and used the rolling overhead door as lobby. “The main entry, enlarged glass open-
an electrically operated window blind,” said ings, and piers of burnished block break up
Hoeft. Contracting Management Corp. paint- the entire façade and help create a warm and
in glass was custom fabricated by Jeremy ed the hoist’s heavy steel I beam, wired lights inviting appearance,” said Hoeft.
Wetzel. “Everywhere you look there is the along its length, and suspended the entire The company’s new front door underwent
unexpected touch,” said Hoeft who credits assembly over the conference room table to several transformations, adding to the ongo-
the work of Lisa Chapman and Traci Taylor, the form an unconventional light fixture. ing evolution of the project. “After we
project’s interior design consultant, for the “We changed all the windows throughout entered construction, a completely different
high caliber of the interior design. the building, adding larger windows at the idea for the main entrance was arrived at that
Altogether, over 40 different colors of paint corners and creating new entrances at the now included the burnished block piers,” said
and a varied palette of metal, brick and wood east, west, and south entry points,”said Hoeft. Wetzel. “One of the big challenges on the
turn this abandoned factory into a powerful “The west entrance grants access to a 6,000- project is that the company is so creative and
idea machine for Latcha + Associates and its to 7,000-square-foot space, separated from dynamic.” Contracting Management handled
companion companies. the main building and ideal for either a ten- the changes by tight coordination with the
ant or for another Latcha spin-off company.” trades and with the architect. “I called Scott
FROM FACTORY TO OFFICE The project team dramatically altered the daily and asked him to draw the changes as
The project team creatively reshuffled the main building entrance. Once a basic door, fast as he could,” said Wetzel. As soon as the
building interior and exterior, converting the main entry sports a contemporary indus- drawings arrived, the information was chan-
overhead industrial doors into office win- trial edge. A new canopy with a vertical neled to the trades involved. “It was vital to
dows and basically altering the structure’s expanse of exposed metal deck and a curved, have good trades who worked well together,
entire fenestration. The main conference custom-fabricated steel beam shadows two and who, if I called them and said,‘I need you
room was a former truck dock equipped with large expanses of sectional glass and alu- tomorrow,’ they were here.”

WALKING ON WATER AT WORK new windows into this pre-engineered build- aluminum sectional door opens up to a patio
Building as usual was not part of the job ing, but the structural bracing had to be left in and grassy courtyard, complete with a ham-
description for a growing company that place over the new windows in the wall. “The mock and a place to grill.
eschews business as usual. At a place where original bracing looked kind of odd,” said Between pool and patio, this relaxation
bright ideas are the bread and butter of the Hoeft. “Lisa Chapman came up with the idea zone lets people unwind, allowing ideas to
company, creative daydreaming is part of the of duplicating some of the bracing members bubble to the surface in this gathering space
job description. Capturing those ephemeral to form a more appealing pattern.” A new designed to “unite the creative forces in the
wisps of inspiration is nurtured in Latcha + entrance in the form of an overhead glass and building,” said Latcha in a press release. The
Associates’ own Zen Room, a brainstorming
haven with soft couches, subdued lighting
and a continuous tack board lining the walls.
Crazy ideas and pet dogs are both welcome,
all for the cause of converting the Relaxation
Response into a marketable Eureka to pro-
mote automotive products. The jumble of
books and CDs in this unconventional think
tank include 1001 Ways to Energize
Employees, and Creative Block Pack, The
Success Edition: Two Powerful Creative
Thinking Tools.
A strong current of ideas flowed through
this evolving project. Three different interior
design tacks were considered for the
Commons alone, beginning with a ’50s diner
theme before ending up at the beach. The
Commons is the ultimate employee lunch-
room and gathering space, a faux tropical
paradise complete with white beach sand, a
cedar deck, and a token pink flamingo, plus a
full-service kitchen. The winter doldrums
would have a hard time gaining a foothold in
this unorthodox gathering space where peo-
ple can even walk on water … or at least on
the surface of a simulated koi pond.
Latcha + Associates initially wanted an
actual pool as the focal point of this beach-
front gathering space. After an indoor pool
proved infeasible, Latcha performed the ulti-
mate magic trick: convert an expanse of con-
crete into a pond. Rocket Studios’ own Rudy
Laslo, one of the premier graphic artists in the
automotive sector, airbrushed a pool on a
curvilinear swatch of concrete, expertly simu-
lating the light reflections in a glistening pool
of faux water and even “stocking” the pond
with painted koi. Adding epoxy sealant to the
surface and white beach sand and ceramic
tile to the edge completed this tropical resort
in the middle of an office building. The pool
is nestled in a cedar deck custom built by
Dexterity Construction to help bring a bit of
the Sun Belt to Michigan’s Rust Belt. Artisan
Tile installed the sea-blue ceramic tile fram-
ing the koi pond, as well as the gorgeous slate
floor leading into this open, sunlit space.
And speaking of sunlight, part of turning a
former industrial building into a beach was
the welcome infusion of natural light into the
interior. Contracting Management carved

light-filled Commons consumes a mere 3,700 Today, this massive photography studio with only a welding torch and scrap metal
square feet of space, but is a pivotal meeting “has a 20-foot-high lathe and wet plaster produced the many custom tables in the con-
ground for the entire facility with the offices seamless cove wall with radius corners,” said ference rooms and the custom furnishings
of Latcha + Associates spread out to the Wetzel. The cove wall offers photographers throughout the facility. Dave Latcha himself
south and Rocket and Hallwood Studios of indoor vehicles a backdrop without seams, welded a conference room table with the
stretching to the north. lines or edges. Photographs taken in moun- help of a neighbor and the creative reuse of
With its yellow-painted banisters, exposed tains, deserts and other rugged environ- steel I beams from the old seating factory.
ductwork and corrugated metal walls, Rocket ments, for example, are shot on location and With a modest budget and a wealth of cre-
Studios continues the building’s retro indus- then downloaded into a computer program, ative energy, Latcha + Associates, Contracting
trial theme. Imaginative design converts explains Wetzel. In the workstations of this Management Corporation, and Hoeft
common chain-link fencing into a funky but growing company the outdoor photos and Associates, now part of Marquette-based
appealing – and cost-effective – balcony rail- the indoor vehicle photos are then merged, Integrated Designs, Inc., have transformed
ing for the transplanted mezzanine. Chain- and details right down to the dirt and water this dilapidated building in Farmington Hills
link fencing is employed as a type of barrier spraying off of the tires as a truck charges into a showpiece created to showcase their
wall in the corridor, offering the option of through a stream are computer generated for talents and inspire employees.
blocking access, if necessary, between com- automotive clients.
panies. Near this unique photography studio are ABOUT THE COMPANY
The back of the complex is an aircraft more modest-sized photo shoot rooms, as Contracting Management Corp. is a
hangar-size expanse large enough to host well as a fitness area with locker room and design/build construction management firm
two indoor photo or video shoots of vehicles showers, and a hallway containing an almost that began operations in December 1998.
simultaneously. Contracting Management floor-to-ceiling chalkboard for scribbling Over the past eight years, the firm has provid-
Corp. completely demolished the interior, thoughts, images and ideas that may pop into ed construction management services for
removing the small offices servicing this for- the minds of the talented staff. clients such as Siemens Medical, GDX
mer manufacturing space, shot blasting the This miracle near Grand River Avenue Automotive (a subsidiary of General Tire
oily residues from the old concrete floor and opened in May 2006. Inspired reuse and just Company), Forest City Technologies, Swoboda
applying a high gloss epoxy sealant, and infill- the plain old skill and design sense of a host USA, and Moeller Manufacturing. A recent
ing old pits that once contained equipment of companies and individuals shaped this project entailed the construction of a manu-
called shakers used to test car seats for rat- unique facility. Thanks to the talents of facturing building housing the production of
tling, durability and fit. Jeremy Wetzel, converting trash into treasure water purification systems for the military in
Iraq. Given the project’s pressing military use,
Contract Management Corp. completed the
Exposed metal gives the building’s west tenant entrance a contemporary industrial edge.
approval, design and construction effort in
only three months.
THE FOLLOWING FIRMS CONTRIBUTED

THEIR EXPERTISE TO THE PROJECT:
• Civil Engineering - Alpine Engineering,
Novi
• Testing Consultants - CTI & Associates,
Brighton
• Wall Coverings - Integrated Interiors,
Warren
• Fire Suppression - Jackson Associates,
Inc., Walled Lake
• Lighting Engineers - JCA Engineering,
Livonia
• Landscaping - J.W. Christmas and
Associates, Inc., Milford
• Real Estate Brokerage - Lee & Associates,
Southfield
• Mechanical / Electrical Engineers - ME
Engineering Consultants, Plymouth
• Electrical Contractors - Advantage
Electric & Controls, Inc., Shelby Twp.
• Ceramic Tile Flooring - Artisan Tile, Inc.,
Brighton
• Lawn Irrigation - Bate & Reece, Inc., St.
Clair Shores

• Blueprint Copies - Bid PDQ, Brighton • Flooring - Quality Floor Covering Co., Oak • Job Trailers - Williams Scotsman, Brighton
• Glass & Framing - Carlson Glass & Mirror, Park • Steel Erection - Woodruf Construction,
Brighton • Bath Accessories - R.E. Leggette Saginaw
• Flatwork / Curb & Gutter - Concrete Company, Dearborn • Furniture - WorkPlace Integrators,
Construction, Inc., Fowlerville • Doors & Hardware - RK Hoppe, Lyon Twp. Bingham Farms
• Brick Cleaning - Corliss Brick Cleaners, • Blinds - The Sheer Shop, Shelby Twp. • Masonry - Zimmerman Masonry, Howell
Subcontractors and professional consultants

Inc., Farmington Hills • Fencing - The Fence Spot, Inc., Brighton
listed in the Construction Highlight are

• Asphalt Paving - D & H Asphalt Company, • Cleaning Supplies - TriCounty Cleaning
identified by the general contractor, architect

Hamburg Supplies, Brighton
or owner.
• Mechanical Contractors - Design Comfort • Ceiling - W.E.H.A., Redford
Co., Howell
• Carpentry - Dexterity Construction, Inc.,
Howell
• Glass - Edwards Glass, Livonia
• Environmental Remediation - Fibertec
Industrial Hygiene Services, Inc., Holt
• Mechanical Contractors - Fuller
Mechanical, Ann Arbor
• Saw Cutting - Gerkin Saw Cutting,
Breaking & Drilling, Inc., Howell
• Equipment Rental - Grand Hi Reach,
Brighton
• Security Systems - Guardian Alarm,
Southfield
• Lightening Protection - Guardian
Equipment Company, Novi
• Electrical Contractor - Hawley Electrical
Contracting, Bloomfield Hills
• Vaults/Safes - High Tech Safe & Lock,
Howell
• Huron Valley Fire Extinguishers, Walled
Lake
• Underground Excavation & Piping - J & R
Excavating, Wixom
• Painting & Caulking - JW Painting &
Decorating, Inc., Macomb
• Demolition - Kodiak Contracting, Inc.,
West Bloomfield
• Epoxy Sealants - Kwasny Company,
Southfield
• Porta-Johns - Lashbrook Excavation &
Septic, Howell
• Roofing - Lutz Roofing Company, Inc.,
Shelby Twp.
• Dumpsters - Metro Sanitation, Warren
• Sigh Company - Michigan Wholesale
Sign, Wixom
• Plumbing Contractor - MJR Mechanical,
Fowlerville
• Environmental Testing - MWH Americas,
Inc., Novi
• Flags - Old Glory Flags & Flag Poles, Inc.,
Livonia
• Overhead Doors - Overhead Door of
Huron Valley, Whitmore Lake
• Footings/Foundations - Poured Brick
Walls, Brighton
• Structural Steel - Premier Steel
Construction, LLC, White Lake

August 56-61 7/6/07 12:12 PM Page 56
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No matter what kind of weather, you won’t have to worry about whether your roof will leak.
SMRCA Roofing Contractors are professional union contractors with the experience and expertise to install a
quality, trouble-free roofing system. Insist on quality from a professional SMRCA Roofing Contractor!
Call us today for a “Roofing Facts” brochure that will tell you what you need to know before purchasing a new roof.
T.F. Beck Company J. D. Candler Roofing Company, Inc. Newton Crane Roofing, Inc. Dave Pomaville & Sons, Inc. Schena Roofing &
Rochester Hills, MI Detroit, MI Pontiac, MI Warren, MI Sheet Metal Company, Inc.
248.852.9255 313.899.2100 248.332.3021 586.755.6030 Chesterfield, MI
586.949.4777
Christen/Detroit LaDuke Roofing & Sheet Metal North Roofing Company Royal Roofing Company
Detroit, MI Oak Park, MI Auburn Hills, MI Orion, MI Schreiber Corporation
313.837.1420 248.414.6600 248.373.1500 248.276.ROOF (7663) Detroit, MI
313.864.4900
Detroit Cornice Lutz Roofing Company, Inc.
& Slate Company Utica, MI
Ferndale, MI 586.739.1148
248.398.7690
M.W. Morss Roofing, Inc.
Fisher Roofing Company, Inc. Romulus, MI
Dearborn Heights, MI 734.942.0840
313.292.8090
SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, INC.
3560 EAST NINE MILE ROAD • WARREN, MI 48091 • Ph.: 586.759.2140 • Fax: 586.759.0528 • www.smrca.org

August 56-61 7/6/07 12:12 PM Page 57
cotton or synthetic alternative.

• Chill-Its Evaporative Cooling Vest
(6665) – This model combines a quilted
nylon outer layer and special inner fabric
layer embedded with super-absorbent
acrylic polymers. To cool down, workers
simply soak this lightweight, durable vest
in cold water and enjoy instant cooling
relief. With a V-neck design, this vest is
available in silver or lime and in sizes
Medium through 3XL.
• Chill-Its Hard Hat Neck Shade (6670) –
Helping workers stay cool and keep the
sun off their necks, this easy-to-attach
hardhat neck shade has a water-repellant
liner, quilted nylon outer layer and activat-
ed polymer embedded fabric inside.
Workers in more intense heat environ-
ments (foundries, chemical plants, power
plants, etc.) for long periods of time,
require a more intense cooling solution –
not only for comfort and productivity, but
for safety. A new solution for Ergodyne’s
Phase Change series is the Hi-Vis Cooling
Vest (6200), which maintains a constant 58
degrees Fahrenheit and a cooling cycle of
up to four hours. This hi-vis orange vest
uses Level 2 ANSI-certified tape; is made
of a flame-resistant material that lasts up
to 50 washings; has an adjustable hook
and loop closure that allows for optimal
fit, and exceeds FTMS 191-5903.
For more information on Ergodyne’s
complete line of gear, visit
www.ergodyne.com or call 800-225-8238.
Downey Products Announces

Top Spin Application for 2007
Ford F-250 & F-350
Ford Super Duty owners can outfit their
heavy duty workhorse with a Top Spin™
tonneau cover from Downey Products.
The customized, top-mount rollup sys-
tem uses low-profile rails, which are
rounded and contoured to the shape of the
pickup bed for an original equipment
appearance. The rails, constructed from
black anodized aluminum, are securely
positioned to the bed by top-drive clamps.
To ensure gear is properly protected, the
Top Spin features a tear-proof, UV-coated,
tri-laminate fabric cover, which resists
stretching and
shrinking in
extreme weather
conditions. The
cover is fastened
with a Velcro™

August 56-61 7/6/07 12:12 PM Page 58
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
fabric system and locked into placed by a maximize load capacity and vans, Sport-Rite air springs
spring-loaded auto latch. The latch is eas- improve the ride and han- support up to 3,000 lbs.
ily disengaged by a pull cord on the dling of cars, trucks, SUVs, per set.
cover’s underside. vans and motorhomes. Coil-Rite air helper
Top Spin is backed by a limited lifetime While Firestone air helper springs mount inside an
warranty from Downey Products. The springs can be inflated existing open coil spring
cover ships fully assembled to make instal- like a tire, the company suspension and allow for
lation (and operation) a fast and simple also offers on-board adjustable spring rates that
one-person process. compressor kits so are superior to standard coil
For more information visit them at adjustments can easily springs. They support
www.global-accessories.com/corp/ or call be made from the dri- between 500 and 1,000 lbs.
the company toll-free at 800.736.1610. ver’s seat at any time. per set.
Many of the compa- Individual air springs,
ny’s kits offer time- air components, service parts
saving no drill installa- and air accessory systems are
Firestone Industrial Products
tions. listed along with part numbers,
Offers Air Helper Springs
Ride-Rite air helper springs are installed detailed diagrams and descrip-
Catalog
Firestone Industrial Products has updat- between the vehicle’s frame and suspen- tions. The catalog includes technical tips
ed its 44-page air helper springs catalog so sion and offer added load support in addi- along with frequently asked questions and
consumers and counter people can easily tion to vehicle leveling. Load carrying answers. In addition, dealers will find
select the right product for their vehicle. capacities vary between 3,000 and 5,000 sales and marketing information describ-
Included in the literature is a complete lbs. per set. ing the company’s preferred dealer pro-
application guide listing part numbers Sport-Rite air helper springs mount gram, website and point-of-sale materials.
along with detailed descriptions of the between the frame and the suspension to A list of vehicles that can benefit from
company’s Ride-Rite™, Sport-Rite™, Coil- enhance the vehicle’s ride characteristics, Ride-Rite, Coil-Rite, Sport-Rite and Level-
Rite™ and Level-Rite™ products. while also keeping the vehicle level. Rite air helper springs can be found at
Firestone air springs help level the load, Designed for small pickups, SUVs and www.ride-rite.com.

August 56-61 7/6/07 12:12 PM Page 59
Gamewell-FCI Takes Poisonous

Gas Detection Seriously
Gamewell-FCI, part of Honeywell’s Life
Safety Group, announced the addition of a
broad range of sophisticated multi-gas
detection devices and controllers. The
Vulcain-Commercial Series of gas monitor-
ing devices for parking structures,
mechanical-type rooms and occupied liv-
ing spaces can operate as either stand-
alone units or be networked to an installed
base of fire alarms or building control sys-
tems. These new detection offerings repre-
sent an addition of 86 different devices to
an already comprehensive
product portfolio offered
by Gamewell-FCI.
One portion of the
Vu l c a i n - C o m m e r c i a l
Series consists of gas
monitoring devices for
enclosed parking struc-
tures and garages. These
detectors can be installed
to activate ventilation fans
when common vehicle
emissions such as carbon
monoxide and nitrogen
dioxide reach hazardous
levels. Controlled fan run-
time and temperature sta-
bilization can lead to large
reductions in mainte-
nance and energy costs.
A building’s mechanical
room is the hub of its
HVAC system, making it
important for gas detec-
tion systems to be
installed within these
types of rooms.
Gamewell-FCI’s Vulcain-
Commercial Series includes detectors
designed to monitor for deadly refriger-
ants and explosive gases. Rooms contain-
ing boilers, chillers, electrical systems, fuel
storage, as well as metering and communi-
cations closets, all present potential to leak
hazardous gases, creating a critical need
for these specialized gas monitoring
devices.
Increasing numbers of workplaces and
residential buildings are relying more
heavily on air handling systems to pro-
vide adequate oxygen for all occupants.
The potential for carbon dioxide build-up
from human respiratory exhalation can
have harmful consequences. To safeguard

August 56-61 7/6/07 12:12 PM Page 60
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
H.A.
SMITH
LUMBER & HARDWARE
the health of those within these buildings,
Gamewell-FCI now offers advanced
infrared carbon dioxide detectors as part
top-fill, gravity-fed soap dispensers or sen-
sor-operated dispensers are also options
on the new SloanStone 7000 series.
Doit of the Vulcain-Commercial Series. Built Although the new SloanStone models
Best
Full Service Commercial
for commercial or industrial applications,
this detector line can be easily mounted to
a wall or duct for superior airflow moni-
have increased their aesthetic appeal to
suit any restroom décor, they’re as rugged
and vandal-resistant as ever. SloanStone
toring. withstands heat, resists stains and chemi-
Contractor Lumber Yard For more detailed information on cals, and features design integrated over-
Large Inventory • Speedy Deliveries Gamewell-FCI’s product portfolio, includ- flows for each supply, as well as grid
• Dri-Con Fire Retardant Lumber & ing the complete Vulcain-Commercial strainers that lead to separate waste lines,
Plywood Series, visit www.gamewell-fci.com. to better handle runoff and prevent clogs.
• Wolmanized Pressure-preservative The new SloanStone models come in 24
Treated Products solid and speckled finishes.
For more information on the new
Fresh, New SloanStone® Solid-
• Douglas Fir Plywoods & Wide
SloanStone 7000 series lavatories, contact
Surface Lavatory Models are
Dimension Prefabricated Wall Panels
Sloan Valve Company at 10500 Seymour
Completely Serviceable from
• Mixed Dense Hardwood the Top Avenue, Franklin Park, IL 60131.
Sloan Valve Company announced its Telephone 800-9-VALVE-9 (800-982-5839
• Crane Mats
new 7000 series SloanStone solid-surface ext. 5609), fax 800-822-0683, or visit:
• Densglass Gold
• Nail Base Roof Insulation lavatory systems. The 7000 series installs www.sloanvalve.com
quickly and is completely serviceable from
28575 Grand River the top, keeping service people off their
knees. SloanStone has reliable and
Farmington Hills, MI 48336
www.smithlumber.com
248.474.6610
durable hard-
wire electronics on the
market, and sensor faucets’ optional 0.5-
gpm aerators offer the significant water
Golden Needle Awning
conservation. SloanStone’s new continu-
Presents Digitally Printed Back-
ous curve basin design, in a wide array of
Lit Awning Fabric
designer finishes, eliminates the “institu- Golden Needle Awning presents
tional” look of most commercial lavatories, Digitally Printed Back-Lit Awning Fabric
yet stands up to any high-use restroom with a Protective Seal Coating that pro-
application. vides protection from abrasions and UV.
SloanStone 7000 series systems offer This combination of high quality inks and
improvements from the inside out that laminated coating allows for a 5-year war-
make these lavatories quick to installing ranty, setting this printed awning fabric on
and easy to service. In fact, every service- the cutting edge of the progressive Digital
able component of these models is acces- textile market. Digital printing on a large
sible via the removable latching lid on top scale format is enhanced by Vector
of the unit. Installation is an easy, one- Graphic design capabilities allowing for
person job. crystal clear artwork, custom colors, com-
The new double- and triple-station sys- plex patterning such as plaids and brick
tems incorporate true point-of-use sensor designs, photos and any other computer
faucet operation for accurate, water-effi- generated graphics. CAD systems allow
cient hand-washing. For lower impact for increased quality by transferring the
installations, these lavatories are also design straight from the computer to the
available with any of Sloan’s battery-pow- fabric. For more information, call Golden
ered or hardwired Optima® sensor-oper- Needle Awning at 517-404-6219 and ask
ated faucets, as well as Sloan’s QuickTop™ for Bill Thompson in marketing, or e-mail
manual hand-washing faucets. Manual firedog@shianet.org.

August 56-61 7/6/07 12:13 PM Page 61
The Editors of CAM Magazine
Speak
invite comments from our readers.
Send your remarks to:
CAM Magazine
Up!
43636 Woodward Ave. • P.O. Box 3204
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204
Or email us at:
editor@cam-online.com
Hickory Hardware Security and

Replacement Hardware
Program
Hickory Hardware™ announced the
launch of its new security and replacement
hardware program. Hickory Hardware’s
security and replacement program fea-
tures attractive packaging, easy-to-under-
stand installation instructions, and a full
range of products with new and updated
finishes.
The new Hickory Hardware line
includes the company’s most popular
security pieces, ranging from patio door
locks to ancillary locks, and the addition of
several new products based on market
research and customer-driven demand. In
response to increased consumer interest in
whole-house coordination, products are
available in updated, popular finishes like
Stainless Steel and Venetian Bronze.
Designed to help consumers choose the
best products for their security needs, the
new line’s packaging includes simple mes-
sages that address the most important con-
cerns for each type of product. Hickory
Hardware’s security and replacement
products also include revised, easy-to-
understand instructions and detailed pho-
tos that clearly identify the proper applica-
tion of each piece.
New merchandising will be released to
support the program. Hickory Hardware’s
security and replacement products will
replace all First Watch brand products, and
will be available in hardware stores and
home improvement centers this summer.
For sales or marketing information,
please call Hickory Hardware
toll-free at (877) 560-6100 or e-mail
info@hickoryhardware.com.

August 62-72 7/6/07 2:27 PM Page 62
PEOPLE IN CONSTRUCTION
providing an outstanding level of client DSA Architects, Berkley, has announced

service. three new engineering employees.
Professional Concepts
Brighton, is pleased to
Insurance Agency (PCIA),
announce that Orion-based Applied Robertson, and Lawrence Mangindin, PE

William E. Vernier III, PE, Margaret M.
Cosgrove has taken over recently joined the firm.

Mike
the role of president and Technologies, Inc. (AMT), a

M a n u f a c t u r i n g
chief operating officer for leading supplier of factory

Cosgrove
the firm. Also, Kim Fricke automation design, engi- AIA, AICP, of Ann Arbor-
Kristen A.G. Schleick,
has assumed the role of chairman and neering and process con- based Hobbs + Black
chief executive officer. sulting services, has Associates, Inc., was
Merhib
announced the appoint- recently presented with
Barry K. Rigby, of ment of Jordan Merhib as the company’s the Emerging Architect
Holland, OH, has been sales manager. Mr. Merhib will be respon- Award by the AIA Huron
Schleick
named vice president of sible for AMT’s worldwide sales of factory Valley Chapter, and was
retail development and automation engineering, design and con- elected as the chapter’s
leasing with Rudolph/ sulting services. vice president/president
Libbe Properties, Inc. The elect. Also, Hobbs + Black
firm has offices in Mark Kramer, PE, presi- is pleased to announce that
Rigby
Walbridge, OH and dent and chief operating Adriaan Van Velden has
Canton, MI. officer of joined the firm as an asso-
ciate in the firm’s expand-
Soil and
Van Velden
Kelly Parkinson, of Madison Heights- (SME), Plymouth, has been ing Design Studio. Van Velden is also a
Materials Engineers, Inc.
based Allegra Print & Imaging, has been elected by ASFE/The Best member of the South African Institute of
recognized recently by the Allegra People on Earth, a not-for- Architects and is a registered architect
Kramer
Network franchise system as one of the profit association of earth- with the South African Council for
Top Ten International Sales Performers in engineering firms, as the Director-at-Large Architects.
North America. The award is presented for their 2007-08 Board of Directors.
annually and is based on sales volume and
INSURANCE BONDING
OAKLAND COMPANIES
INTEGRITY • COMMITMENT • SECURITY
Our Primary Client Goals:
Protect Your Assets • Control Your Costs • Provide Exceptional Service
ISO 9001:2000
Certified Co.
888 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 1200, Troy, Michigan 48084
www.oaklandcompanies.net
Ph (248) 647-2500 • Fax (248) 647-4689
August 62-72 7/16/07 11:22 AM Page 63
August 62-72 7/6/07 2:28 PM Page 64
PEOPLE IN CONSTRUCTION
Southfield, has announced that Reem a

Neumann/Smith Architecture, P r e i n &
Akkad, an interior designer at the firm, full-service

Hilti. Outperform. Outlast. Newhof,
recently earned LEED ® accreditation engineering

from the U.S. Green Building Council firm based in
Hilti systems and solutions are
(USGBC). G r a n d
designed for professionals like you –
Rapids, has
to help you finish jobs on time
Bergstrom Cruickshank
Madison Heights-based elected three
and on budget.
At your local Hilti Center, you new associates at its most

Company has named recent shareholders’ meet-
Detroit Door & Hardware
can check out the latest in Hilti
Kevin Rucinski, P.E. as gen- ing: Timothy Bergstrom,
innovation, participate in hands-on
eral manager and chief

product demonstrations, get tools
operating officer (COO).

serviced, and, of course, buy PE; Christopher
The addition of a COO will

Hilti products. Cruickshank, PE; and
Rucinski
allow Detroit Door to
Brandon Hildreth, PE.
There are 3 full service Hilti Hildreth
Center locations in Michigan improve their internal operations, while
to serve you:
advancing and expanding their customer
base. Lansing, has also appoint-
Granger Construction,
ed James Anderson to the

position of project engi-
6 Mile Rd
28190 Schoolcraft Rd
Livonia, MI 48150
neer for the Sparrow

5 Mile Rd
Environmental
Inc., an environmental Health System West Wing

Schoolcraft Rd One Way
Maintenance Engineers,
remediation contractor Addition in Lansing.

Exit 176 Exit 177
I-96 Exit 176 Exit 177
Schoolcraft Rd One Way Overpass
Anderson
based in Inkster, has made Anderson earned his bach-
Inkster
Middlebelt
Merriman
Farmington
Newburgh
Plymouth
the following announce- elor’s degree in civil engineering from the

I-275
ments: Don DeRoo and University of Michigan. Also, the compa-

Joy Rd
DeRoo
Stacey Supanich received ny has hired 11 college students as part of
Certificates in its 2007 Summer Intern Program.
Dertoit
28190 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150 Thermography after suc- Majoring in Construction Management or
cessfully completing train- Civil Engineering, the interns will gain
ing courses in St. valuable hands-on experience while serv-
I-475
Exit 7
Petersburg, FL; and that ing as staff members on various Granger

E Court St
3433 Lapeer Rd
Exit 139
Exit
Jason Hayes-Sheen has Construction projects throughout the state.

Flint, MI 48503
6
Exit 138
Exit 139
I-69
passed the Certified Water

Exit 138
Lapeer Road
Supanich
S Center Rd
St
Exit
S Averill Ave
Taylor-based
S Dort Hwy
Damage Restoration
2th
E1
7
Cliff
Exit
Technician examination
ord
6
St
Lippincott Blvd
S Saginaw St
and received certification providing

I-475
Wade Trim,
issued by The Institute of engineering,

Flint Inspection, Cleaning, and surveying,
3433 Lapeer Road Restoration Certification planning,
(IICRC). oper ations,
Flint, MI 48503
Hayes-Sheen Fisher Podnar
landscape
Warren-based FH Martin Constructors, architecture, and construc-
36th St. SW 36th St. SW
Inc. has hired David Veighey and Frank tion services, has made the
Mahlau as project superintendents. Both following announcement:
Clyde Park Ave. SW
131 40th St. SW
men have 30+ years of experience in the

S. Division Ave.
Buchanan Ave. SW
Clay Ave. SW
Stafford Ave. SW
construction industry. Podnar, PE; and Scott

William Fisher, PE; Kristen
640 44th St. SW
LaSalle, PE, have earned

Grand Rapids, MI 49508
44 St. SW US 131 Exit 79 44 St. SW
Royal Oak-based LaSalle their Professional Engineer

Construction Group has made the follow- Licenses. Professional Engineers are
Ronnisch
ing promotions: Janet Gekiere from sales required to pass two exams, earn a bache-
Grand Rapids
& marketing coordinator to business lor degree in engineering, and complete

640 44th Street SW
development manager; Jeff Cooper from four years of engineering work experience.
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
superintendent to project manager; and

Tracie Gajewski from reception/adminis-
1-800-879-8000
tration to project coordinator. Also, the
en Español 1-800-879-5000
company has hired Kathy Ams as sales &

www.us.hilti.com
marketing coordinator; and Jessica

Hilti. Outperform. Outlast. Vallance as reception/administration.

August 62-72 7/6/07 2:28 PM Page 65
American Institute of Architects. The al energy investment company with strate-

firm received honors for 20+ years of gic and financial investments oil and gas,
C O R P O R AT E N E W S
Detroit-based law firm Miller Canfield practice, along with the Firm Founder power, water, infrastructure, and mining
is pleased to announce that Midwest Real Award for President William S. Hobbs. sectors throughout the world.
Estate News magazine ranked the firm In addition, Hobbs + Black Associates,
fourth on its list of 2007 Best of the Best Inc., has also been selected by Abu Dhabi Spalding DeDecker Associates (SDA), a
Real Estate Law Firms in the Midwest, National Energy Company (TAQA) to Detroit-based civil engineering firm, was
making it the top-ranked Michigan-based design their new suite in Dominos Farms recognized with a Michigan Concrete
law firm. The results were published in Office Park in Ann Arbor. TAQA is a glob- Pavers Association (MCPA) award for
the magazine’s May 2007 issue. Miller
Canfield completed 800 real estate trans-
actions in 2006. Of those transactions, 65
were valued at $5 million to $14 million,
and 22 were valued at more than $15 mil-
lion. Transactions included commercial,
industrial, shopping centers, land, office
buildings and multi-family matters, as
well as commercial mortgage loan clos-
ings.
currently of
Farmington Hills, in conjunction with
JPRA Architects,
Whitehall Real Estate and Ronnisch

Construction Group, broke ground on
their new 30,000-square-foot office build-
ing within the Campus Park development
in Novi. The event took place in June
2007. JPRA Architects is an award win-
ning architectural and environmental
graphics firm specializing in the retail
industry and hospitality sectors, both
nationally and internationally.
Plymouth, has been retained by Biofuel

Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME),
Industries Group, LLC to assist with devel-

opment of the NextDiesel biodiesel plant
in Adrian. SME is providing environ-
mental consulting services for the 30,000-
square-foot NextDiesel facility. Ghafari
Associates, LLC, Dearborn, is designing
the facility.
Southfield-based
Company was presented the 2007 AON
Barton Malow
Build America Award for The University

of Virginia, John Paul Jones Arena, New
Construction category at the Associated
General Contractors of America (AGC)
88th Annual Convention in San Antonio,
Texas last spring. The AON Build
America Awards recognizes and show-
cases the best of the best in construction.
Barton Malow was chosen out of nearly
100 projects nominated for this award.
Ann Arbor-based Hobbs + Black

Associates, Inc. was recently recognized
by the Huron Valley Chapter of the

August 62-72 7/6/07 2:28 PM Page 66
COR POR ATE NEWS
their work as the prime consultant for Ferndale. The construction of the 65,352-
MDOT’s I-94 Overlay Project. SDA has square-foot, four-story, mixed-use
also recently re-launched their company retail/residential building is scheduled to
website at www.spaldingdedecker.com. be completed in June 2008.
The new site features a fresh, new look
that reflects the culture and expertise of Retail strategy and design firm, JGA in
SDA and its employees. SDA is also Southfield, has received a Visual
pleased to announce contracts with the Merchandising Award by the National
following clients: Beaumont Services Association of Store Fixture
Group – Independence Township Site Manufacturers, for All the Hoopla located
Planning & Engineering; City of Inkster – in the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi. The
Combined Sewer Overflow – Sewer firm was also recently honored with 2006
Separation and Project Performance Retail Store of the Year Awards for three
Certification; MDOT - Road Scoping of its design projects: All the Hoopla –
Program for I-96 (Wayne/Livonia areas), Twelve Oaks Mall, Novi, (Hard Lines);
US-12 (Michigan Avenue), and I-375 The North Face – Somerset Collection,
(Detroit); Six-S, Inc. Concrete Paving & Troy (Soft Lines); and an Honorable
Excavating - Surveying and mapping Mention for the store Springfield in
services for MDOT; MDOT Road Madrid, Spain (International Soft Lines).
Commission for Oakland County and the These awards came from a leading indus-
City of Troy – Livernois Road Repaving try publication, Chain Store Age in its
15 Mile to Big Beaver. annual design competition.
The Byron Center office of Sterling Heights Center, a new 289,000-

Prein&Newhof has moved to 365 Eighty- square-foot retail development located at
Fourth Street SW, Suite 4. The new 3,800- the intersection of 16 Mile and Dequindre
square-foot facility is located just west of Roads, received general contracting serv-
US-131, only 1.3 miles east of the office’s ices from
former location at 1360 Eighty-Fourth Services, Inc., with Atwell-Hicks serving
Colasanti Construction
Street. as civil engineer. The Van Hooser

Partnership designed the structure; St.
The Commercial Contracting Group, Louis, MO-based The DESCO Group is
Auburn Hills, was recently honored by the developer.
General Motors Corp. as a 2006 Supplier
of the Year, for overall business perform- Detroit-headquartered Albert Kahn
ance in providing GM with world-class Associates, Inc. (AKA) recently joined
parts and service. The 15th annual award Planetree to celebrate the grand opening
took place in the spring in Orlando, of its newly renovated headquarters
Florida. offices in Derby, CT.
Encompassing 2,500 square feet of
space, the newly renovated office suite
Troy, was selected to provide the construc- once served as a patient unit for the med-
Testing Engineers & Consultants, Inc.,
tion testing and inspection for the new ical center. AKA provided architectural
Nordstrom store at Twelve Oaks Mall in and interior design services that trans-
Novi. The two-story, 165,000-square-foot formed the space into a first class corpo-
store will be located on the southeast rate office environment.
corner of the mall, and will open this fall.
The Detroit-based lighting design team
of SmithGroup, the world’s 12th largest
Southfield, has been selected as construc- architect, was awarded a Michigan IESNA
Ronnisch Construction Group,
tion manager for the interior and exterior Award (the Illuminating Engineering
restoration/renovation of the Eckstein- Society of North America) for Visteon
Lakie building located in Royal Oak. Village Corporate Headquarters, Van
Also, Ronnisch has been selected as con- Buren Township. Also, the firm has been
struction manager for the interior restora- named one of the best firms to work for in
tion/renovation of the Galaxy Plus build- the architecture, engineering and con-
ing located in Troy. Ronnisch struction (AEC) industry, according to the
Construction Group, also has been May 2007 issue of Building Design +
awarded the Lofts on the Nine project in Construction Magazine.

August 62-72 7/6/07 2:28 PM Page 67
Harley Ellis Devereaux, with offices in

Southfield, and its partner companies
were involved at a number of levels in the
design, planning and project manage-
ment of the nation’s newest - and largest -
forensic science facility. Grand opening
festivities were held in May for the new
Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
in Los Angeles.
Harley Ellis Devereaux provided proj-
North American Dismantling Corp.
ect management, architectural and interi- INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • MUNICIPAL
or design, and mechanical and electrical
engineering support for the project. We Are A Complete Demolition Contractor &
Benton Harbor-based Can Fulfill Any of Your Project Needs
Corporation has been selected as the only
Whirlpool
appliance manufacturer of the Consensus

Complete & Selective Demolition • Structural Tipping
Strip-Outs for Structural Renovation • Equipment Removal
Building Standard™. As part of the com-
Committee for the National Green
mittee, Whirlpool Corporation will help

Site Cleanup • Implosions & Hazardous Waste Removal
transform the National Association of
Latest Equipment • Highly Skilled Personnel
Home Builders (NAHB) Model Green LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED
Home Building Guidelines into a national
green standard, certified by the American
w w w. n a d c 1 . c o m
National Standards Institute (ANSI). 3 8 0 L A K E N E P E S S I N G R D • P. O . B O X 3 0 7 L A P E E R , M I 4 8 4 4 6 - 0 3 0 7
Toll Free
800-664-3697 • Fax 810-664-6053
COMING UP IN
SEPTEMBER
• Insurance/Bonding
• Renovation/Restoration
October
• Metals/Steel
• Healthcare
FALL 2007
SPECIAL ISSUE

August 62-72 7/16/07 11:23 AM Page 68
BUYERS GUIDE U P DATE
UPDATE s you all are probably aware, the 2007 Construction Buyers
A Guide has been out on the street for several months now.
In an effort to keep our information as accurate and up-
to-date as possible, we’re including here all the changes
and corrections we have received for members’ company listings as
of June 15. Changes from the book are in bold.
To see continually amended company listings, check out the Buyers
Guide Online at www.cam-online.com, updated on the 15th of every
month. Return to this section every month in CAM Magazine to get
heads-up information and news involving the Construction Buyers
Guide. Questions? Contact Mary Carabott at 248-972-1000 for answers
and to find out how to add to your online listings. No updates will be made to the online Buyers
Guide from July 15 thru January 15.
To obtain additional copies of the Guide, stop by the CAM office and pick them up at no additional
charge, or send $5 per book for shipping to have the books sent to your company via UPS. Please call
ahead of time for authorization if your firm requires a substantial number of copies.
Invoices for the listings have been generated and mailed. Prompt payment ensures a good-stand-
ing membership and ability to list in the 2008 Buyers Guide.We will gladly answer any questions regard-
ing charges on invoices.
Preparation for the 2008 Buyers Guide has begun – look for renewal forms in your mail in
early August.
Applied Building Technologies, Inc. Icon Glass Systems, Inc. Q. Enterprises, Inc.
6500 Roosevelt 37666 Amrhein Rd. 8602 Wildwood
Allen Park, MI 48101 Livonia, MI 48150 South Lyon, MI 48178
Phone: 800-251-5136, 313-389-3270 Phone: 734-338-3200 Phone: 248-437-8286
Fax: 313-389-3744 Fax: 734-338-3201
R Remax 100 Dynasty Group, Inc.
DANGE
Artistic Floor Covering, Inc. Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies 26870 Beck Rd.
50303 Hayes Rd. 37564 Amrhein Rd. Novi, MI 48374
Shelby Twp., MI 48315 Livonia, MI 48150 Phone: 248-348-3000
Phone: 586-677-9767 Phone: 734-655-8181
Fax: 586-247-2877 Fax: 734-655-8183 Sunbelt Rentals
(Formerly Nations Rent)
CMC Joist & Deck JCK & Associates, Inc. 1335 E. Eight Mile Rd.
(Formerly: Nicholas J. Bouras, Inc.) 8615 Richardson Rd., Suite 100 Hazel Park, MI 48030
2500 Harte Dr. Commerce Twp., MI 48390 Phone: 248-546-0500
Brighton, MI 48114 Phone: 248-363-2553 Fax: 248-546-6656
Phone: 810-494-4330 Fax: 248-363-1646
Fax: 810-494-4340 Testech, Inc.
HIGH
ModSpace 8164 Executive Dr.
Frost Masonry, Inc. (Formerly GE Equipment Services – Lansing, MI 48917
(Formerly: Diamondback Masonry, Modular Space) Phone: 517-622-3000
Inc) 8277 Rawsonville Rd. Fax: 517-622-3009
10825 Alpine Belleville, MI 48111
Riley Twp., MI 48041 Phone: 734-461-6010 Valley Painting, Inc.
EXPOSURE Phone: 248-514-0868

Fax: 810-392-2063
Fax: 734-461-6760
Pasky & Sons., Inc.

5042 Exchange Dr.
Flint, MI 48507
Phone: 810-736-3835
Fusco, Shaffer & Pappas, Inc. 7710 Richardson Rd. Fax: 810-736-4615
30800 Northwetern Hwy., Suite 100 West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Phone: 248-366-1800 VisiCom Services, Inc.
When You Phone: 248-932-8300
Fax: 248-932-8301
Fax: 248-366-1813 2534 S. Rochester Rd.
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Advertise In Gemelli Concrete, LLC
Pella Windows & Doors, Inc.
1026 Doris Rd.
Phone: 248-299-0300
Fax: 248-299-0395
CAM Magazine! 133 E. Pond Dr.
Romeo, MI 48065
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone: 248-292-5000 Steven A. Wright, PC
Phone: 586-752-7873 Fax: 248-292-5001 13854 Simone
Fax: 586-752-7836 Shelby Twp., MI 48315
(248) 969-2171 Prefered Consulting & Investigations Phone: 586-532-8560
Horizon Millwork Manufacturing 5226 State St., Suite 2 Fax: 586-532-8571
Fax (248) 969-2338 35660 Clinton St. Saginaw, MI 48603
Wayne, MI 48184 Phone: 989-790-8895
Phone: 734-405-0700 Fax: 989-790-8897
Fax: 734-405-0703
August 62-72 7/16/07 11:23 AM Page 69
CONSTRUCTION CALENDAR
The American Society of Concrete

Sep. 13-16 – ASCC Conference
Contractor’s (ASCC) Conference at the

CONSTRUCTION Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, NC will
include business and technical speakers,
CALENDAR demonstrations and roundtable discus-

sions.
For more information, call the ASCC
Please submit all calendar items no less than six weeks
prior to the event to: Calendar Editor, CAM Magazine, office at 866-788-ASCC (2722), or visit
P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204. www.ascconline.org.
The Associated Owners & Developers

Sep.14-Oct. 15 – AOD Conference
Industry Events
(AOD) will host industry forums on the
following dates at the following locations:
Sep. 17-18 – Washington, D.C.
Aug 1-Dec.14 – Cooper Lighting 2007
The SOURCE, the training facility locat- Oct. 15 – Atlanta, GA

Class Schedule
ed at the Cooper Lighting headquarters in Visit www.constructionchannel.net or

Peachtree City, Georgia, has released a call 703-734-2908 for more information.
2007 calendar of classes for the lighting
Aug. 14 – Fieldstone Golf Club, Auburn
Aug. 14-Sep. 18 – CAM Golf Outings
and design community.
Hills
Additional information and registration
Sep. 18 – Greystone Golf Club, Romeo
can be found online at
Reserve a spot or sponsorship in the out-
www.cooperlighting.com/education.
ings by calling Diana Brown at 248-972-
1000.

August 62-72 7/6/07 2:28 PM Page 70
ADVERTISER INDEX
Ace Cutting Equipment & Supply ..............................42

Acme Maintenance Service, Inc. ..................................21
Aluminum Supply Company, Inc. ..............................14
33900 Concord
(734) 421-1170 Livonia, MI 48150 Fax (734) 421-5237 American Pipe Lining ...................................................19
Barton Malow Company...............................................36
Brunt Associates, Inc......................................................15
JACKSON BUILDING LIVINGSTON PREFERRED
CAM Administrative Services .......................................3
MATERIALS BUILDING MATERIALS BUILDING MATERIALS
CAM ECPN.....................................................................45
(517) 788-4333 (517) 552-9000 (734) 243-3262
CAM Membership.......................................................IBC
120 Rosehill 4100 Lambert Drive 615 Harbor
CAM Workers' Compensation Plan ............................38
Jackson 49202 Howell, MI 48843 Monroe 48162
Clark Hill, PLC ...............................................................31
Connelly Crane Rental Corp. .......................................10
EAST SIDE BUILDING OAKLAND ACOUSTICAL
Cummins Bridgeway.....................................................67
MATERIALS BUILDING MATERIALS SERVICES, INC.
DTE ................................................................................IFC
(810) 364-5500 (248) 377-1770 (810) 232-3994
Daiek Woodworks..........................................................57
4180 Dove Rd. 1099 Doris Rd. 2632 Lippencott
Danboise Mechanical ....................................................38

Port Huron 48060 Auburn Hills 48326 Flint 48507
EAST SIDE BUILDING ACOUSTICAL PREFERRED BUILDING DeBaker & Sons Inc........................................................11
MATERIALS SERVICES, INC. MATERIALS Detroit Terrazzo Contractors Association ..................43
(586) 949-6160 (989) 754-0420 (419) 868-5659 Doeren Mayhew .............................................................26
28187 Kehrig Dr. 3725 E. Washington 10559 Geiser Rd. Donnelly & Associates, Inc., Raymond J. ..................49
Chesterfield 48047 Saginaw 48601 Holland, OH 43528 Duross Painting ..............................................................43
Edwards Glass ................................................................49
FRAMES, DOORS PROGRESSIVE SPECIALTY Environmental Maintenance Engineers........................6
& HARDWARE, INC. BUILDING MATERIALS DISTRIBUTORS, INC. Facca Richter & Pregler, P.C. ........................................25
(734) 422-5400 (734) 482-3764 (248) 377-6720 Fast Signs.........................................................................61
Frames, Doors & Hardware, Inc. .................................39
33026 Capitol 1255 W. Michigan Ave. 1099 Doris Rd.
G2 Consulting Group ....................................................29
Livonia 48150 Ypsilanti 48197 Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Gutherie Lumber..............................................................8
H. A. Smith Lumber.......................................................60
ACOUSTICAL CEILINGS & FRAMES, DOORS &
Hale Contracting, Inc.....................................................25
SERVICES, INC. WALLS, INC. HARDWARE, INC.
Hartland Insurance Group, Inc....................................37
(989) 779-7577 (734) 422-0484 (517) 787-5800
Hilti, Inc. ..........................................................................64
4315 Corporate Dr. 12770 Farmington Rd. 118 Rosehill Suite A
Jeffers Crane Service Inc................................................13
Mt. Pleasant 48858 Livonia 48150 Jackson 49202
Kem-Tec ...........................................................................57
Kodiak Contracting, Inc. ...............................................51
Kotz, Sangster, Wysocki & Berg...................................32
Lifting Gear Hire Corporation .....................................12
Livonia Building Materials ...........................................70
Makita Tools....................................................................58
Mans Lumber & Millwork............................................30
McAlpine & Associates .................................................29
Michigan CAT.................................................................65
Michigan Propane Gas Association.............................17
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters................BC
Midwest Vibro ................................................................68
Navigant Consulting ....................................................16
Nicholson Construction Company..............................33
North American Dismantling Corp. ...........................67
Oakland Companies ......................................................62
Osborne Trucking & Osborne Concrete, John D. ......69
Plante & Moran ..............................................................53
Plunkett & Cooney, P.C. ................................................44
Premier Electronics, Inc.................................................18
Rocket Enterprise, Inc....................................................11
Ronald B. Rich ..................................................................9
Rooter, MD ................................................................28, 60
SMRCA ............................................................................56
STIHL Dealers.................................................................27
Safway Services, Inc.......................................................63
Scaffolding Inc. ...............................................................21
Seedguy Hydroseeding .................................................66
Shelving, Inc....................................................................59
Spider - A Division of SafeWorks, LLC ......................26
State Building Products.................................................51
Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C. ..........................10
We offer custom reprints of articles that appear in Sunset Excavating ..........................................................16
Superior Materials/US Concrete .................................55
CAM Magazine! Reprints make excellent promotional UHY Advisors.................................................................59
pieces that showcase YOUR company’s projects. Unilock...............................................................................5
Valenti Trobec Chandler, Inc...........................................7
We are your #1 source for CAM Reprints! Virchow Krause ..............................................................20
Call us at 248-972-1107 for more information. Wayne Bolt & Nut Co....................................................66
Woods Construction Inc................................................28
Zervos Group..................................................................18

August 62-72 7/6/07 2:28 PM Page 71
THE ONLY BOOK

YOU NEED IS THE
CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY’S
#1 RESOURCE
The CAM Construction Buyers Guide has over
16,000 copies published and distributed
throughout the state. Its directory lists over
3,800 contractors, suppliers, architects,
engineers, and service firms in the industry.
This glossy, award-winning monthly

magazine covers construction news throughout the state,
*JOIN NOW highlighting interesting construction projects, personnel news
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AND FOR A LIMITED TIME, RECEIVE FREE:

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Covering the entire state FREE Program Features:
• Company History (Bidders, General Contractors,
$26 Buy the first Classified Listing in Sub-Contractors, AL & CAs)
the 2008 CAM Buyers Guide and get • E-mail Notification for both new and tracked projects
the 2nd Classified Listing FREE • Online Plans, Specs, Adenda and Bid Documents
CAM-ONLINE • And much more!
List your website address in the CONSTRUCTION REPORTS
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to your home page from the CAM safety questions.
website (www.cam-online.com) Services available to CAM Members include:
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2007 Visit us on the Web at www.cam-online.com

SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS ONLY • ANNUAL DUES TO CAM ARE $295
August 62-72 7/6/07 2:29 PM Page 72

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August 1-17 7/6/07 2:32 PM Page 1

AUGUST 2007 VOL. 28 • NO. 8 • $4.00

NRG 356 CAM 7.75 X 10 5/15/07 12:13 PM Page 1

and Solid protection

Medical PPO RX Drug Card Dental PPO Life

A New Carrier Means New Rates!

Jerry Rutkowski • CAM Administrative Services

34 ACT Honors INTEX Winners

“VOIC E OF TH E CONSTR UCTION I N DUSTRY”®

24 Changes to the Michigan

4 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007

PUBLISHER Kevin N. Koehler

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mary E. Kremposky

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew J. Austermann

DIRECTORS Brian J. Brunt,

Robert J. Michielutti Jr.,

John O’Neil, Sr.,

Michigan Society of The Communicator

For editorial comment or more information: magazine@cam-online.com.

6 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

1175 West Long Lake Rd. Suite 200 • Troy, MI 48098

Del Valenti Rod Gawel Jason McLelland Ken Boland

Hobbs + Black Honored at

8 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

designers are Emily Uphaus, Betsy

the sterile design often associated with

hospitals and medical facilities. Slate tile

and warm wood finishes were selected to

embody the hospitality theme to welcome

visitors rather than overwhelm them.

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 9

transactional & litigation Despite Michigan’s High

engineering firms – is planning at least 25

offices in the next year, despite the strug-

One Of Michigan’s Largest • Midland, which is preparing for 50

10 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

the pharmaceutical, education, biofuels, the Center is a 20,000-square-foot sculp-

and science and technology sectors.

Founded in 1948, SSOE, Inc. is an interna-

tional design firm and ranks 14th among

the nation’s largest engineering and archi-

tecture firms (Building Design and

Construction, 2006) and 12th among firms

in the manufacturing sector (Engineering

News-Record, 2007). Demonstrating fast

ed a 30 percent revenue growth making it

the third consecutive year the company has

grown its revenue more than 15 percent.

With nearly 800 employees and multi-

disciplined LEED™ certified professionals

employed in 16 offices around the world

the company has earned a solid reputation

in facility design for the healthcare, retail,

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 11

12 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

NOW OFFERING TOWER CRANES

Detroit, Michigan Toledo, Ohio Lima, Ohio

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 13

For more information, go to www.sprin- tion of National Transportation Week in

tion. Research conducted at this facility community.”

14 CAM MAGAZINE AUGUST 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

includes a laboratory build-out and alter-

limits that are now served by septic sys-

Tunnel and Open Cut project to be bid in