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Press Releases
(to download a press release in PDF format, click the Acrobat Reader icon on the far right of the title)
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09/21/09 |
Wolverine Supports Art Prize Nessie Project
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Grand Rapids, MI (September 21, 2009) – The Loch Ness Monster will be visiting Grand Rapids this fall during the international art competition, Art Prize. Named the Nessie Project, a large scale sculpture of the creature will swim the Grand River as a highly anticipated Art Prize entry by AGG, a collective group of artists, designers, and engineers.
Since Nessie can’t jump in herself, Wolverine Building Group will be supporting the installation of the sculpture with a crane to pick up the five pieces and set them in the river for the artists to maneuver in place. Located near the blue bridge downtown, Nessie will float 100 feet long and 18 feet high above the river.
Richard App and his team David Valdisseri, Thomas
Birks, and Joachim Jensen, along with the help of many family and friends
are the creators of The Nessie Project. The sculpture was formed from
20,000 square feet of styrofoam into five separate pieces each hollowed
out and attached atop wooden rafts to keep Nessie afloat. The art-deco
style creature will be heard from riverbanks using frightening sound
effects, and the piercing eyes will glow through the darkness, making
a chilling Art Prize entry.
Installation will occur at 7:00am, Tuesday, September
22, 2009, one day before the competition begins. AGG, its supporters,
and fans will celebrate
at The Nessie Project Launch Party located at JW Marriott’s "J Deck", right on the river at 5:00pm Tuesday evening.
For more information please visit http://nessieproject.wordpress.com/
or follow The Nessie Project on Facebook and Twitter.
Wolverine Building Group is a full service Design/
Build, Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more
than 70 years of experience. |
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07/30/09 |
A Look at the Past, A Vision for the Future |
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI (July 30, 2009) - Set to become one of the most notable addresses
along the South Division Avenue corridor, 101 South Division
building is reopening its doors after nearly two decades of
neglect and disrepair . To commemorate the remarkable historic
transformation the project team lead by Brookstone Capital
LLC and Fryling Construction will celebrate with Grand Opening
and Building Dedication Ceremony on Thursday, July 30th from
4:00pm to 6:00pm.
The City of Grand Rapids, the Downtown Development
Authority, and members of the project development team will
speak about the historic
rehabilitation of 101 South Division building and what urban
revitalization along the South Division corridor means to
The City of Grand Rapids. The Grand Opening event will also
feature
historic rehabilitation consultant Rebecca Smith Hoffman
of Past Perfect, architect Gary Breen of Concept Design Studio,
and Richard VanderZyden of Fryling Construction, for guided
tours of the newly renovated building.
First built in 1886 as a wholesale and retail
grocery for Arthur Meigs & Company and later as the Glen Haven Hotel, the 101 South Division building has held a variety of commercial tenants over its history. During the 1980’s the building was abandoned, and remained vacant as several attempts were made to rehabilitate the fire and water damaged structure.
After ten months of historic rehabilitation
by Fryling Construction, the 19th century building thrives
again saving a unique piece of history located in the historic
Heartside District in Downtown Grand Rapids. 101 South Division
building is a beautifully restored mixed use facility for twenty
moderate-income families and commercial retail/office space
with availability of on site parking. The 101 South Division
building demonstrates commitment to environmental stewardship
and social responsibility. It will be seeking Leadership in
Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold certification.
Key
in the redevelopment effort was structuring financing of
the various tax credit programs in the midst of the most challenging
credit market in recent history. The project utilized Federal
Historic Tax Credit, Michigan State Historic Tax Credit,
Federal
9% LIHTC syndicated by Wachovia/ Wells Fargo Bank. John Byl
of Warner Norcross & Judd
LLP was instrumental in petitioning to the Michigan Economic Growth Authority
for funding through Michigan Brownfield Tax Credit Brownfield program. JP Morgan
Chase provided the construction financing and The City of Grand Rapids DDA provided
financial support through the Building Reuse Incentive Program Grant.
For more
information on the 101 South Division Building Grand Opening Celebration
or Commercial and Residential leasing opportunities, please
contact Shawna Bergman at
(989) 837-6272 or visit www.101southdivision.com. |
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07/07/09 |
Grand Rapids’ First LEED Platinum Project.
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI (July 7, 2009) – For
the past decade West Michigan has become an excellent example
of the green movement. Today there are hundreds of companies
in the Grand Rapids Area that are following sustainable practices.
Catalyst Partners and M Retail Solutions are a couple of those
companies who are dedicated to sustainable design strategies.
The companies have formed a partnership to convert the building
at 502-2nd Street into their new office location.
While the
number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Certified Building is rising exponentially in Grand Rapids,
the highest level, Platinum Certified of the Green Building
Rating System, has not yet been met. Catalyst Partners, M
Retail Solutions, along with Wolverine Building, Inc. are proud
to
accept the challenge; 502-2nd Street will be the first address
in Grand Rapids to seek LEED Platinum Certification from
the U.S. Green Building Council!
The building was built in
1917
to house a very successful flour mill that shipped out
the highest quality flour in the country at the time. Throughout
its history the building has housed a variety of businesses
that reflect the changing nature of the neighborhood. Most
recently it was home to a local engine repair shop.
The
project
consists of the remodel of a historic two-story building
into office space. Wolverine Building, Inc. plans rehabilitate
the
existing 2,825 square feet and build an additional 1,125
square feet to expand the space. The idea of historic preservation
and LEED-Certified construction techniques go hand in
hand. A large emphasis is being put on material re-use to restore
as much of the original features as possible; much of
the
hardware,
trim, doors, and existing floors will be re-used. Other
sustainable features include the addition of windows to meet
natural
light requirements, and the incorporation of geothermal
heating for
the building. |
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06/16/09 |
Farmers Insurance Expands |
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Caledonia, MI (June 16, 2009) – Wolverine has been selected to construct the Farmers Insurance Expansion. See attached press release. |
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05/26/09 |
HISTORIC AWARDS
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Grand Rapids (May 26, 2009) The City of Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission announced last week at the 15th Annual Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony that the Grand Rapids Community Foundation was selected to receive a Historic Preservation Award. Completed October of 2008, Fryling Construction transformed the old Anhuser-Bush Icehouse into the new home for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, a 20,000 square foot three level office with a beautiful skylight addition.
Historic Preservation awards are given to honor outstanding
rehabilitation projects that have contributed to the understanding and
practice of historic preservation throughout Grand Rapids.
The Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN)
announced their 2009 Building Awards during the 29th Annual Statewide
Preservation Conference held
at the YWCA. Armory Arts Village of The Enterprise Group
was presented a 2009 Building Award for the adaptive reuse of the former
State Prison
in Jackson. Completed December of 2007, Fryling Construction
transformed a historic 19-acre prison and National Guard armory site
into a thriving
arts-focused community. Three prison buildings were renovated
into 62 one and two bedroom units with workspace studios mixed in for
the resident
artists. The Armory's Drill Hall is now a multi-use entertainment
space, the sally port is enclosed with skylights to create a sculpture
gallery.
The Annual Building Awards are presented to outstanding
rehabilitation projects, completed within the last two years, which
have
made a significant contribution to the preservation of Michigan’s heritage.
Fryling Construction is a full service Design-Build,
Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more than
70 years of experience. |
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04/27/09 |
Construction Firms Merge to Provide Nationwide Construction Solutions |
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Grand Rapids, MI – (April 27, 2009) Wolverine Building Group, a Grand Rapids based construction company, is pleased to announced it has hired Michael J. Houseman to lead its Wolverine North America division. Houseman plans to merge his Walker-based company, Houseman Construction, with Wolverine Building Group, a firm with complementary goals and principles.
The merger is effective immediately. Houseman’s company will be identified under the name of Wolverine North America, a fourth division of Wolverine Building Group launched in 2005 in response to needs of clients to build outside of the local West Michigan area.
Houseman Construction, established in 1998,
has developed a national presence completing work in eleven
different states in the last two years and opening an office
in Phoenix Arizona in 2007. Their focus has been on developing
relationships with customers that have special construction
needs on multiple sites across the country; while Wolverine
Building Group, celebrating its 70th year anniversary, provides
construction services to many diverse markets throughout Michigan
with exceptional expertise in Industrial, Office, Medical,
and Multi-Family projects.
Wolverine Building Group welcomes the Houseman
Construction team as an exciting opportunity to expand business
nationally. According to Mike
Houseman, “The merger will allow our building group to meet the growing demand for our specialized delivery system. We use the latest technology in communication and building to deliver our construction contracts in unprecedented time and quality while keeping our customers uniquely informed of the progress of their project without the customer having to make multiple site visits. The demand for our services has grown due to large national corporations reducing their staff without reducing their need to develop multiple sites across the country. This merger will provide the necessary personnel and infrastructure to support further expansion nationally. Our combined effort will significantly increase the list of repeat customers that we proudly serve.”
Wolverine Building Group is co-owned by
Mike Kelly and Richard VanderZyden and employs approximately
100 employees in West Michigan. Mike Houseman will serve as
President of Wolverine North America. Approximately 30 current
employees of Houseman Construction will transfer with Mr. Houseman
to support the out of state supervision needs of the company.
Wolverine North America’s specialty is building for repeat customers on multiple sites all across the country. Wolverine North America will operate out of the Wolverine Building Group Headquarters located in Kentwood, as well as the office opened by Houseman in Phoenix, Arizona.
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04/06/09 |
TRANSFORMING THE HIDDEN JEWEL
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Grand Haven, MI (April 6, 2009) Wolverine Building is please to announce the beginning of renovations at Covenant Life Church located on 101 Columbus in Grand Haven.
Unlike many churches, Covenant Life members
gather in a factory building originally constructed in the
early 1900’s. They purchased a portion of the Story & Clark Piano factory campus for their worship space in 1995, and have been growing ever since.
They have been slowly renovating portions of the three story facility as their outreach program grows, and are now preparing to open a youth program center on their second floor. This renovated space will house their Middle and High School Ministry programs, as well as providing a youth recreation area. The Church’s volunteer group is even taking an active roll during construction.
Working closely with Craig Architects Wolverine
will complete Phase I of the renovation of the 15,500 square
feet of space. This exciting adaptive reuse of a truly unique
building will be completed mid June of this year.
Wolverine’s Project Manager, Dulane Coval, notes the rewards of this project far outweigh the challenges. He reports, “I have been involved with this group’s Building Committee for over 10 years, and have come to truly appreciate the visionaries that are steering this group. Their mantra in renovating this facility has been ‘Calvinistic Elegance’ in everything they do, and they have been very successful in achieving that goal. Over the years, I have witnessed them transforming a vacant hulk into one of the Lakeshore’s hidden jewels, and am thrilled to be a part of it!”
Learn more about Grand Haven Covenant Life Church and the building project at www.ghclc.org.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service
general contractor with more than 70 years of experience providing
exceptional construction services to industrial and commercial
clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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03/27/09 |
Trails Await the Warm Seasons
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Grand Rapids, MI; Owosso, MI (March 27, 2009) – Signs of spring fever are already starting to arise while City Parks and Recreation Departments prepare for the upcoming warm seasons.
Wolverine recently completed the addition
to the Meijer Trails system in Grand Rapids. The new trail
is accessed from Millennium Park and weaves along the Grand
River, through thriving wetlands, and over rehabilitated railroad
trestles. About 4 miles long the trails are truly a remarkable
addition to the Kent County Trial system and will be a great
asset to those who can’t wait the explore the open air this summer.
Wolverine is currently heading another trail
in downtown Owosso. Along the Shiawassee River a 900 foot long
elevated wooden boardwalk will be installed from Washington
Street to Oakwood. A historic wrought iron bridge will also
be renovated into a pedestrian crossing as the trail connects
to the Harmon Partridge Park.
According to Project Manager Brandon Hartel, “This is a unique project and is one that is taking us out of our typical realm of expertise. We are broadening our work horizons and hope that this will bring many years of enjoyment to the City of Owosso.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service
general contractor with more than 70 years of experience providing
exceptional construction services to industrial and commercial
clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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03/12/09 |
LEED AP Numbers Rising |
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Grand Rapids, MI (May 12, 2009) – Wolverine Building Group is pleased to announce that Project Managers Josh Daniel and Bill Pursifull received LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Wolverine Building Group is a full service Design-Build,
Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more than
70 years of experience. |
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03/09/09 |
Fryling Heads Affordable Housing Projects |
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Bath Township, MI; Portage, MI – (March 9, 2009) Doing what they do best, Fryling Construction announces the new construction of two affordable housing projects in Michigan. As a proud MSHDA and HUD specialist, Fryling Construction heads the MSHDA development, Hawk’s Ridge Apartments in Bath Township, and a HUD project in Portage named Gladys Street Apartments.
The Hawk’s Ridge Development started construction last August of 2008 and plan to be complete by the end of August 2009. Excel Properties, returning to Fryling for the ninth time, is the developer for the new 12.3 acre community that will include 13 apartment buildings and a Clubhouse. Fryling will be constructing 8 units within each building, and an additional two-story senior living facility. Designed by Economides Architects, the residential neighborhood will fit comfortably in the quaint township of Bath.
The Lift Foundation and Phoenix Properties also
returning to Fryling for a new development in Portage off the street
it fosters its name from, Gladys Street. Fryling Construction is proud
to announce the Gladys Street Apartments have broke ground and are
set to complete within 6 months. Kiefer and Kurtz Architects designed
the 10 independent living units along with the 1,000 square foot common
area. The new community will be near many shops and restaurants making
an ideal location for walkers and bikers.
Fryling Construction, a division of Wolverine Building
Group, is a Grand Rapids based general contractor with more than 70
years of experience in
the construction industry. Serving clients throughout
Western and Central Michigan, Fryling specializes in multi-unit structures,
historic
renovations, tenant build-outs, and storefronts. |
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01/09/09 |
Silver Star Vision Provides Hope to Homeless Veterans
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Battle Creek, MI – (January 9, 2009) Fryling Construction is honored to be a part of an incredible program that could provide permanent solutions to Homeless Veterans. Medallion Management has teamed with Fryling Construction for a heartfelt project to assist Veterans Affairs in housing the homeless. The community development project will be named the Silver Star after the Army Medal of Honor.

Medallion Management is a property management company
that specializes in non-profit consulting and joint ventures. Marvin
Veltkamp, CEO of Medallion Management’s vision is to provide an apartment living community that will assist homeless veterans in becoming healthy; physically, mentally, and emotionally. His mission is to effectively assimilate veterans back into healthy independent living.
The alarming number of homeless veterans has inspired
this project. Still today, war veterans are in need of aid. Many Vietnam
veterans are forgotten, and still haven’t fully recovered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The problem originates from veterans who lack holistic health care on their return. Where physical healthcare was provided, occupational healthcare was not, leaving the mental and social well-being of some veterans very unstable. Many homeless veterans have spiraled into a lonely, unhealthy, and mentally disabled state, where they’ve lost site of returning to the life they had before being in the service.
The Silver Star is the second of its kind. The Saint
Leo Campus for Veterans in Chicago, IL has been housing
homeless veterans since November 2005. Marvin plans
to follow similar efforts; to provide
supportive services and counseling to veterans with
a goal of self-sufficiency.
Medallion Management has
chosen to build on the campus of the Battle
Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Care Center. This
campus specializes in mental care. The Enhanced Use Lease
Program from the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs allows. Medallion Management
to lease the property long-term. These leases are important
in that they
keep the proceeds in the Department of VA, whereas
if property were sold, it would be
pooled into the general U.S. government fund and
not spent on our veterans.
Fryling Construction is privileged to team with
Medallion Management on this admirable project. Much consideration
is going into
the construction of the apartment development to
ensure a safe and warm environment
to promote a healing community. Green-building
efforts will be incorporated during the construction of the seventy-five
unit,
three-story apartment
building. Green Construction will not only reduce
the overall maintenance costs and rental rates, but
it will also promote a healing environment
and advance healthy living for the veteran tenants.
The design of the building is important because
it is necessary to create an environment that strongly encourages
community involvement,
and to draw the veterans out of their rooms. Many
of the homeless have become
accustom to isolation, and most of the programs
are group-orientated to push socialization and to
build friendships. A
main focus of the
group programs will be on creativity, which activates
the creative parts of the brain and will further
stimulate rehabilitation. Such
activities like gardening, cooking, pottery,
artwork, etc. have been proven to add to the quality of life.
The Silver Star VA Home will include non-profit special needs care providers on site. Assistance will be given to help veterans fill out the proper paperwork to receive aid from the Department of VA. Physical healthcare will be provided as well as a comprehensive counseling process. The VA Home will offer many supportive services with the goal of making each tenant independent by requiring each veteran to seek, obtain, and maintain employment. Veterans will be charged a very reasonable fee for rent, and will maintain strict guidelines about sobriety as a condition of occupancy. Tenants are free to come and go as they wish. The main focus is to fill the home with veterans, starting with the homeless, although, space for the non-veteran homeless and other mentally disabled persons may be available.
Fryling Construction broke ground on the Silver
Star VA Home last week, and plan to complete construction by the end
of Summer 2009. Marvin Veltkamp and the rest of the team at Medallion
Management hope not only for success on this project, but for this
to be a catalyst for many more communities to come.
More information about the Department of Veterans
Affairs can be found at www.va.gov.
For more information about Medallion
Management visit www.medallionmgmt.com.
Fryling Construction, a division of Wolverine Building
Group, is a Grand Rapids based general contractor with more than 60
years
of experience in the construction industry. Serving
clients throughout Western and
Central Michigan, Fryling specializes in multi-unit
structures, historic renovations, tenant build-outs,
and storefronts. |
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12/01/08 |
EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD GIVEN TO WOLVERINE
BUILDING GROUP |
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West Michigan (December 1, 2008) – Wolverine Building Group is pleased to announce they were the recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Business Award from the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. The award is one of three that will be presented at this year’s Salute to West Michigan Business event that pays tribute to the Ford presidency, held at the Amway Grand Plaza this Friday, December 5, 2008 at 11:30 am.
Wolverine is pleased to stand at the 13th annual
Salute to West Michigan Business, and gives special thanks to all
of their 2008 clients who always steer us toward success.
Wolverine Building Group is a full service Design-Build,
Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more than
65 years of experience. |
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12/01/08 |
Wolverine Superintendents go Green
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Grand Rapids, MI (December 1, 2008) – Wolverine
Building Group is pleased to announce that superintendents
Jon Denouden, Scott Fase, Bill Jerow, Jeff Jonker, Mike Stein, and
Mike Stolk all
received environmental certification from the Green
Advantage Program. Wolverine is one of two contractors in West Michigan
to have superintendents
that are certified building practitioners.
To find out more about Green Advantage: www.greenadvantage.org
Wolverine Building Group is a full service Design-Build,
Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more than
65 years of experience. |
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11/26/08 |
A New Home for the Kentwood Library
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Kentwood, MI – (November 26, 2008) Wolverine Building Inc. & Post Associate Architects have been selected by the City of Kentwood to design and construct the new Kentwood District Library.
At approximately 43,000 square feet, the new facility
will act as the Kentwood District Library’s new flagship location. It will include the latest innovations in Library Sciences, as well as space for community gatherings and functions. Land Development Solutions is assisting the team in selecting the most appropriate location on the Kentwood Municipal Campus on Breton Avenue to place the building; while Molinaro Architects of Evanston, IL guides the KDL through programming. The Wolverine team plans to break ground on the project in the Spring of 2009. The $ 8 Million project better serves Kentwood residents by providing a facility that will include larger reading selections, upgraded technology, and a more serene learning environment.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial and commercial clients throughout
West and Central Michigan. |
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11/24/08 |
Wolverine Tackles Office Renovation Challenges
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Grand Rapids, MI – (November 24, 2008) Wolverine Building, Inc. recently completed a small but remarkable expansion project for Pitney Bowes, a leader in business insight, customer engagement, mail solutions, and workflow management.
Success for Pitney Bowes grew as did their International
relations. The server room at their West Michigan Office on 4460 44th
Street needed space to expand equipment. Robert Grooters Development
Company, developer of the professional office building with Turnbull
Poppleton & Associates construction consultants hired Wolverine to head the expansion project. The largest challenge for Wolverine was to perform the construction without disturbing the computer server that delicately holds the bulk of the daily national and international business at Pitney Bowes. The team at Wolverine successfully secured all technical equipment with a dust-free enclosure while performing selective demolition within the room to allow for it’s expansion. In addition the entire 33,000 sq. ft. office area underwent a face lift of new carpet and re-painting throughout the entire office space. The server room expansion and office remodeling work was a fast-track project leaving 150 employees undisturbed during the 8 week renovation period. No employees had to be relocated off site during the work, which was the criteria Pitney Bowes had when beginning the project.
A Pitney Bowes representative stated, “We went into the project expecting problems, much to our surprise and delight there were none. The project finished ahead of schedule with no glitches. I was surprised by how well the team of venders and sub-contractors worked together to get the project done”.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 68 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial and commercial clients throughout
West and Central Michigan. |
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11/03/08 |
Thierica Display Products Corp. Expands
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Grand Rapids, MI (November 3, 2008) – Wolverine Building, Inc., known for it’s success in industrial construction, has been hired as general contractor for a warehouse addition to Thierica’s display graphics manufacturing plant on 900 Clancy in Grand Rapids.
Thierica Display Products Corp, a growing
business for over 50 years, is a neighborhood company where
many of its employees live close enough to walk to work. Its
current location at 900 Clancy NE, is vital to the local district
and its success. Wolverine will expand the building by 10,000
square feet which is twice the size its last expansion Wolverine
completed for the Clancy facility in 2004. New parking areas
will be constructed as well to accommodate the addition of
new employees. As a Design/Build project, Wolverine plans to
finish construction within 5 months, and operate without disturbing
any existing operations.
According to project manager, Chris Nye, “Wolverine Building group has had an excellent partnership with the Thierica group of companies for the past several years, and it’s refreshing to participate in their continued growth yet again, especially in the current economic conditions. I look forward to the completion of another successful facility expansion.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service
general contractor with more than 68 years of experience providing
exceptional construction services to industrial and commercial
clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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11/02/08
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New Walker location for Foot & Ankle Specialists
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Walker, MI – (November 2, 2008) Selected for a second time, Wolverine Building, Inc. is proud to build the new Foot & Ankle Specialists of West Michigan 9th location in Walker, MI. On the corner of Leonard and Wilson, Wolverine broke ground on a new two-story medical office building in September.
The new building will have many modern aspects designed
by Wolverine’s in-house architects. The design/build project will be over 11,700 square feet total and will include a 1,200 square foot basement. Foot & Ankle Specialists will occupy the 2nd floor, while two tenant lease spaces will be available on the first floor.
According to project manager, Chris Nye, “It’s a pleasure to be working with Foot & Ankle Specialists again on their new Walker facility. This new building will surely be a showcase for the City of Walker.”
Wolverine
Building, Inc. is a full-service general contractor with more than 68 years
of experience providing exceptional construction services to industrial
and commercial
clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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10/22/08 |
Wolverine Helps Small Business Achieve Big Dreams
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Lansing, MI (October 22, 2008) – Crippen GMC now
grabs the attention it deserves off the busy street of Saginaw. Wolverine
Building Inc. has helped transform the car dealership into a first
class stop for car shoppers.
Crippen, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Mazda, and Volvo
is located at 8300 W. Saginaw in Lansing. In business for 50 years,
the original showroom needed
a modern facelift. As part of a total Buick Pontiac
GMC image update program, the showroom space was renovated and expanded
to accommodate
the new 2009 models. Wolverine was happy to provide
Design/Build services for the project. The renovation included a new
front entry through
a new modern entrance kiosk. Six additional service
bays were also added to the existing service area, while two previous
service bays
were converted into offices and a waiting area. New
metal panels were used to update the exterior of the original building
to prominently
display the up-dated signage.
On the same lot, Wolverine also constructed a fresh
5,000 square foot building to house the Mazda/Volvo new car showroom.
Now with
a bright and inviting atmosphere, Crippen GMC is
sure to succeed in it’s current and future
business.
According to Jim Ziegler, Project Manager for Wolverine, “This was a fun project
and a great Design/Build collaborative effort between the owner and our staff
at Wolverine Building. Joint efforts went into up-grading the GM showroom with
the goal of separating themselves from the competition. This allowed Wolverine
to create a much cleaner and truly distinctive dealership incorporating the latest
GM image package.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial
and commercial clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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10/21/08 |
New Project Manager Joins Wolverine Building Group
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Grand Rapids, MI (October 21, 2008) – Wolverine Building Group is pleased to announce the addition of Kurt Adams to our staff. Kurt is a LEED Accredited Professional and will be working as a Project Manager and Sales Representative for the Wolverine Building, Inc. Division.
Wolverine Building Group is a full service Design-Build,
Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more than
65 years of experience. |
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10/20/08 |
Fryling Completes New Home of GRCF
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Grand Rapids, MI – (October 20, 2008) Warm
and inviting describes the new look for the previously neglected
Anhuser-Bush Icehouse. Fryling Construction began the challenging
renovation/build-out just 6 months ago, and today the red brick
on 185 Oakes Street shines as the new home for the Grand Rapids
Community Foundation.
The icehouse was originally one of a network
of rail-side refrigerated warehouses Anheuser-Busch built to
cool cars of beer that were being shipped
long distances. It's one of only two Anheuser-Busch icehouses
still standing. The building was previously owned by Chemical
Products, which had operated out of the building for more
than 40 years.
Today the 20,000 square foot building has
transformed into a three level office. The most interesting
of features include a fireplace, translucent
skylight covered bridge, the re-use of heavy, old wooden
doors, and a very accommodating 24 person table conference
room.
The building's historic features give the
new office an interesting mix between contemporary and distinguished,
both characteristics of
the GRCF worth highlighting. It’s no doubt the new office will
carry the foundation well into its future of success.
Fryling is very proud to be part of this
significant project. “It’s been a great
experience to give the Foundation a space of their own in downtown Grand Rapids
by making use of an unused, historic building, all while doing it in an environmentally
responsible way. I feel fortunate I could be involved with an organization that
drives such positive change in our community,” says Bill Pursifull, Project Manager
for Fryling Construction. “I wish the Foundation many years of growth!”
The foundation intends to pursue Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the building,
most likely LEED Silver certification.
Fryling Construction, a division of Wolverine
Building Group, is a Grand Rapids based general contractor
with more than 60 years of experience in the construction
industry. Serving clients throughout Western and Central Michigan,
Fryling specializes in multi-unit structures, historic renovations,
tenant build-outs, and storefronts. |
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09/10/08 |
Historic Rehabilitation - 101 S. Division Lofts
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Grand Rapids, MI – (September 10, 2008) Fryling Construction has been recently selected as the General Contractor to lead the historic rehabilitation project of a long-standing vacant building located in the Historic Heartside Business District of downtown Grand Rapids. MI.
Originally built as a hotel to accommodate the
busy traffic on Division in the late 1870s, the three/four-story building
will be transformed into a mixed-use residential and commercial building.
Brookstone Capital, LLC, plans to construct 20 loft-style apartments
on the upper levels while the ground level will have 6,000 square
feet of commercial retail/office space available. The building will
accommodate below grade parking, while the building’s open courtyard at the center of the building will undergo extensive renovation. Completion of the residential and commercial space renovation is scheduled for summer 2009.
Fryling Construction Project Manager Aaron Jonker
says “We intend to re-use any salvageable materials during construction; this will create unique challenges and opportunities for the building as we move along. It fits with the theme of the project, as we are seeking LEED certification which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work.”
Fryling Construction, a division of Wolverine Building
Group, is a Grand Rapids based general contractor with more than 60
years of experience in the construction industry. Serving clients
throughout Western and Central Michigan, Fryling specializes in multi-unit
structures, historic renovations, tenant build-outs, and storefronts. |
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09/03/08 |
EXPLORING THE BEATEN PATHS.
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| Grand Rapids, MI (September 3, 2008) – There are many things to explore in the next phase of Kent County’s massive Millennium Park project. Almost 140 years ago the Kalamazoo, Allegan, & Grand Rapids Railroad was completed. It ran as part of the New York Central Railway until abandoned in the mid-1970’s (Berry). Along with West Michigan’s rapidly expanding furniture industry, it serviced Grand Rapids west side gypsum mines and aggregate industry. After years of neglect and abuse, the County has acquired: the railroad right of way, the gravel pits surrounding it, and the abandoned gypsum processing facility. Wolverine Building Inc. has been chosen to help it develop these unique assets into the Meijer Trails system.
In an effort to preserve the original pathway and
minimize further disruption to the Grand River’s floodway, Wolverine will rehabilitate the existing railway bed and two of it’s trestle’s into a pedestrian pathway. Many unique features will grace more than four miles of the Meijer Trails as they wind past: ponds, reclaimed gravel pits, wetlands teeming with wildlife, the once thriving gypsum processing area, oil wells, and the mighty Grand River. The route will take you over three new pedestrian bridges, two rehabilitated railroad trestles, and connect to the existing Kent Trails system and Johnson Park. Future phases will connect directly to the main facilities of Millennium Park on Maynard Ave in Walker.
Wolverine’s project manager, Dulane Coval, says “It’s a jungle out there! The terrain and vegetation almost remind me of the swamps of Louisiana. We’re working in an area where the misquotes are as big as sparrows and a heavy rain can shut you down in a matter of an hour. The deer are so thick that we’re going to loose more time to workers dreaming of hunting season than every other distraction combined. In all seriousness, this project is going to throw a lot of obstacles at us, but we have a very strong team and a great design from O’boyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates, Inc., and their engineers at Byce. & Associates, Inc. It’s one of those oddball projects that’s a logistical nightmare, but it will be a very remarkable project and a great asset to West Michigan when it’s done.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 68 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial and commercial clients throughout
West and Central Michigan.
Reference:Berry, Dale. michiganrailroads.com.
16 Aug. 2008. RRHX: Michigan's Internet Railroad History Museum.
03 Sept. 2008 .
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08/29/08 |
Retail Here, Retail There
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Holland & Jenison, MI (August 29, 2008) – Soon to come, the Fall and Winter seasons look eventful as Wolverine Building, Inc. prepares to build two West Michigan retail centers. Jim Courtney managing partner of Walvery, LLC and 348 Baldwin, LLC has partnered with Wolverine to tackle both projects concurrently.
The first project is a new 8,000 square foot building
that will hold six retail spaces. The strip mall will certainly have
leasing appeal as it is conveniently located near the busy Holland Meijer
at 700 East 16th Street. The second retail center will be located at
348 Baldwin in Jenison. Totaling 6,000 square feet, the building will
house four retail spaces for lease.
Designed by architectural firm, Post Associates,
each building will be constructed with pre-engineered steel, and the
façades will incorporate a combination of colored masonry and cast stone. Plans call for both projects to begin within a month, and to be completed shortly after the New Year.
According to project manager, Dulane Coval, “Recent fluctuations in construction commodities forced these projects into a price range that was unacceptable to the owner. Working closely with the project architect and engineer, we were able to offer value management suggestions that gave them more suitable costs. It’s our job to always see that the companies managing the properties achieve their goals, and we are more than pleased to make that happen for them.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 68 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial and commercial clients throughout
West and Central Michigan. |
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08/29/08 |
LEED AP Numbers Rising
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Grand Rapids, MI (August 29, 2008) – Wolverine Building
Group is pleased to announce that Aaron Davis, Assistant Project
Manager for the Wolverine Construction Management Division,
received LEED accreditation
from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Wolverine Building Group is a full service Design-Build,
Construction Management and General Contracting firm with more than
65 years of experience. |
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08/13/08 |
Learning to Fly
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Grand Rapids, MI (August 13, 2008) – Providing construction management services to the Kent Intermediate School District, Wolverine Building has recently completed the demolition and renovation of the KISD Aviation Hangar located near the Ford International Airport.
The design/build project transformed the existing
hangar into a 12,000 square foot building with a mezzanine, a barrier
free lift, and hangar space. Wolverine constructed two levels of new
classrooms for the specialty student programs of the Kent Career Technical
Center. The renovation included an aviation mechanic learning program
center, as well as classrooms for the newly installed NASA program.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to
industrial and commercial clients throughout West and Central
Michigan. |
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08/05/08 |
Fast Track Build-out |
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Grand Rapids, MI (August 5, 2008) – Wolverine Building Inc. has been selected general contractor for the remodel of a 7,000 square feet office suite for Ryerson, Inc. at 3100 Orchard Vista in Grand Rapids.
Ryerson is a leading distributor and processor of
metals in North America. The Design/Build 7 week remodel is a selective
demolition project, where existing doors and hardware will be reused,
while new flooring, carpet, and wall coverings will be installed. The
challenge will be to fit the old with the new and make a comfortable
finished office space for Ryerson to expand their metal services to
West Michigan.
According to project manager Bill Carmean, “It is exciting to be back in this building to continue with the improvements. I am looking forward to working with George Wanty and Nancy McDonough from Midwest Capitol Advisors once again. After the recent remodel to the exterior and interior common areas, it will be rewarding to be a part of the remaining upgrades to the building.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial and commercial clients throughout
West and Central Michigan. |
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08/01/08 |
A Summer of Improvements
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West Michigan, MI (August 1, 2008) – Wolverine Building Inc. has been very active wrapping up several upgrade projects in West Michigan this summer.
Area Wide OB/GYN- Build-Out
Recently completing the remodel of a 6,370 square feet suite at the Spectrum
South Pavilion, Wolverine welcomes the new location for Area
Wide OB/GYN Health Services. The 10 week remodel was a selective
demolition project,
where many existing features were reused while incorporating
them with new finishes. Area Wide OB/GYN has moved in and is
currently serving
West Michigan women.
Packaging Corporation of America-
Wolverine completed numerous remodeling projects at the Packing Corporation
of America manufacturing plant in Grandville. Projects included
the remodel of all existing bathrooms; replacement of plumbing
fixtures, installation of new stainless steel partitions,
new forced air hand
dryers, new mirrors & cabinetry, new ceiling grid & tile and fresh
paint throughout the existing bathrooms.
Advanced Packaging- Advanced
Packaging’s growth and success called for an expansion to their
state-of-the-art facility originally built by Wolverine a year ago. Wolverine
built an additional 3,400 square feet of office space, and made other improvements
to the building including an eyebrow canopy, an exterior dust collection
unit, and a new entry canopy into the design area of the facility. Advance
Packaging continues to upgrade their facility to make it more efficient
and user friendly.
Wolverine Building Inc. is proud to be a continuous aid to West Michigan’s
ongoing business expansions, updates, and improvements.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial
and commercial clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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08/01/08 |
An Addition to be WILD About |
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Grand Rapids, MI – (August 1, 2008) Wolverine Building, Inc. is pleased to announce the completion of an office addition for the locally owned slit steel supplier, Magic Steel Corporation, lead by Joe Maggini. The addition expanded 1,000 square feet to the north side of Mr. Maggini’s office. The remodel included new carpeting, ceramic tile, new ceiling grid & tile and fresh paint throughout the entire office space, as well as reworking the parking lot.
What makes this project especially special is the
extra space is used now to showcase Mr. Maggini’s passion for game hunting. Entering the office felt almost like walking into an African Safari. Dozens of wild animals adorned every inch of the walls, each one having a unique story. The collection included an extensive collection of large birds, spiral horned animals, a full size lion, two full sized grizzly bears, the head of a cape buffalo, a zebra-skin rug, and many more impressive displays. Much artwork was also seen in the room, African masks, hand-carved canes, sculptors and paintings tied into the wild décor of the room. The collection is far from complete, as Mr. Maggini mentioned his plans for a cougar hunt this year.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing construction
services to clients throughout Western and Central Michigan. They specialize
in the construction of commercial and industrial facilities, including
office, retail, churches, warehouses, and manufacturing buildings. |
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07/07/08 |
Topping Out at 404 feet |
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI (July 7, 2008) Set to become the
most prestigious address in Grand Rapids, River House Condominiums
by Robert Grooters Development Company, is inching closer to
making history
as it reaches another landmark in its development.
After 2-1/2 years of construction, the final beam
will be raised to commemorate the maximum height that will be reached
by the tower, adding a striking new dimension to the Grand Rapids skyline.
On Wednesday, July 30th a “Topping out” Ceremony will be held to mark the occasion. “Topping out” is a longstanding tradition in the construction industry, in which a fir tree and the United States flag are placed on a steel beam and carried to the top.
The luxury residential development will be the tallest
building in Grand Rapids at 404 feet and the tallest 100% residential
building in the state of Michigan.
Local architectural firm, DTS & Winkelmann, is responsible for the overall delivery of the condo’s modern design, which features vast open spaces flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling glass exterior walls in every home.
River House Condominiums, constructed by Wolverine
Construction Management, will house a total of 207 homes when completed
with occupancy beginning in October of this year. The 34-story residential
high-rise will redefine downtown living with unobstructed views of the
city, luxury amenities and a prime Grand River location. |
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06/18/08 |
Campbell Moves Into Their New “Green” Home
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Caledonia, MI – (June 18, 2007) Wolverine Building Inc. has recently completed the new home for The Campbell Group’s Corporate Headquarters. The new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified facility is located Caledonia Township at 5650 Prairie Creek Drive and is a prominent eye-catcher driving Eastbound on M-6.
A successful Michigan business with 150 employees,
The Campbell Group is one of the largest “independent” insurance providers in Michigan. Their need for expansion called for a talented architectural firm, Integrated Architects, and a quality construction team. The end product has much to say about the team Wolverine Building put together for this distinguished project.
The exterior consists of about 50% of tinted glass,
stone veneer, and horizontal metal panel accents. The challenge in design
is that all four sides of the building have great views and access.
It is like having a home with a main entrance on each side. All elevations
of the building have spectacular views of wooded areas, ponds, fountains,
a waterfall, and wildlife also making their surroundings a new home.
According to Mike Kelly, President for Wolverine Building
Inc., “This is a uplifting facility that will make it a joy for people that work in it to go to work every day, each view out any window is like looking at a wildlife nature scene”
The 52,000 square foot two-story conventional steel
office building features a large open floor plan to allow for a custom
tailored Systems Furniture layout. The first and second floor combined
allow for 21,000 square feet of office space. The first floor will include
the reception area, entryway, offices, and a 4,000 square foot café, while office space will encompass the majority of the second floor. An additional 8,000 square foot walk-out basement will house a fitness area with locker rooms, training room, IT room, mechanical room, and storage space.
Much planning and design went in to incorporate LEED
construction practices. Everything from the heating and cooling system,
plumbing, windows, carpet, and office furniture have features encouraging
environmental preservation. The goal was to minimize the facility’s impact on the environment, reduce overall operational costs, and promoting a healthy workspace for its occupants. A few key project features are landscaping species native to Michigan, low water volume lawn irrigation that takes water out of a nearby man made pond, the bond is filled by rain water run off that is collected and routed to the pond. Water efficient sinks, toilets, urinals, and appliances were installed. The use of high efficiency glazing will help promote day-lighting to minimize the facilities energy use. A raised floor system with heating, cooling, and wiring below the floor will allow for more open space, efficiencies, and individual control. All during the construction phase waste and masonry waste material was be recycled. Low-Emitting Materials, such as carpeting, paints, and wood, were all used.
“The goal here was to build a facility that works with its environment, not against it. Being good stewards of our planet isn’t as hard as you might think.” said Vaughn Aikens, LEED Project Manager for Wolverine Building Inc.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing exceptional
construction services to industrial and commercial clients throughout
West and Central Michigan. |
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06/09/08 |
Loose Leaf Completes its Modern Transformation.
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Grand Rapids, MI – (May 22, 2008) A bold new look for the corner of Wealthy and Commerce, the tall red-brick complex of Loose Leaf Lofts has finished its transformation. Fryling Construction is proud to announce the completion of the renovation and addition of the old 333 Commerce building.
Originally built during WWI to produce military uniforms,
the building got its name from its long running tenant of the Loose Leaf
Printing Company. Infinity Companies LCC, a Lansing based company, hired
Fryling to renovate the previous three-story 18,000 square foot industrial
warehouse and build an additional four-story 15,000 square foot connection
on the adjacent lots.
As a design/build project, Fryling’s in-house architects took the historic site’s original exterior features and incorporated them into the design of the new addition. The building’s design blends a clean, modern, and urban style with historic elements to fit in with the neighboring structures.
Loose Leaf Lofts features 34 market-rate apartments of various layouts and a commercial space that will house a coffee shop, diner, and a small market open to the public. There will also be 2,000 square feet of retail space available. Other features also include a small courtyard out front and a glass atrium with deck on the roof of the older building, providing space for cookout gatherings for its future tenants. The urban design of Loose Leaf is geared toward young and aspiring professionals with 14 apartments already reserved for Douglas J Aveda Institute students. |
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06/02/08 |
Packaging Corporation of America Project Underway
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| Grandville, MI – (March 20, 2008) Wolverine Building, Inc. is pleased to announce their selection as general contractor for a local supplier of corrugated packaging and displays, the Packaging Corporation of America.
Wolverine is starting numerous remodeling projects
at the PCA manufacturing plant, located at 3251 Chicago Drive SW in Grandville.
The first project entails the remodeling of all existing bathrooms. Improvements
include the replacement of plumbing fixtures, installation of new stainless
steel partitions, new forced air hand dryers, new mirrors & cabinetry, new ceiling grid & tile
and fresh paint throughout the existing bathrooms. The construction for this
first project is scheduled to be completed March of 2008.
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service general
contractor with more than 65 years of experience providing construction
services to clients throughout
Western and Central Michigan. They specialize in the construction of commercial
and industrial facilities, including office, retail, churches, warehouses,
and manufacturing buildings.
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05/30/08 |
Grand Rapids Plastics Expands Warehouse
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Wyoming, MI – (May 30, 2008) Grand Rapids Plastics returns to Wolverine Building, Inc. to expand their production warehouse space. Located in Wyoming, Grand Rapids Plastics is a premier plastics molding and plastics assembly manufacturer. Known for specializing in automotive, office furniture and appliance products, Grand Rapids Plastics is in need to enlarge their production floor.
This design/build addition will include over
27,000 square feet of new warehouse space to add to their existing
80,000 square foot campus. Wolverine will be constructing the
building from pre-engineered steel. The new facility will house
additional extrusion machinery for Grand Rapids Plastics increased
production requirements. The project has recently begun construction
and plan to finish by this Fall 2008.
According to project manager, Jim Ziegler, “With the demise of companies like Plastech and other unfortunate plastic manufacturers, Grand Rapids Plastics is preparing itself to respond to the future injection molding demand from the automotive, furniture, and appliance industries.”
Wolverine Building, Inc. is a full-service
general contractor with more than 68 years of experience providing
exceptional construction services to industrial and commercial
clients throughout West and Central Michigan. |
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