Construction Today - Volume 16, Issue 2 - 133
Making It Happen Christman-Brinker is a joint venture overseeing construction management of the 120,000-square-foot Mike Ilitch School of Business. « The Christman Company started construction on the building in 2016 and anticipates completion spring 2018. The company has faced minor challenges, according to Emerick, noting the project has a very tight schedule. "From the beginning, we've approached this project as a partnership with everyone involved," Emerick says. "This includes the owners, Wayne State University, the architects and engineers involved, as well as our subcontractors. It's a team effort because we are all working together for the same purpose. It's worked out very well thus far." Currently, Emerick and her team are working on finishing the drywall on the first floor. "We're working from the top-down," she says. "So the fourth floor is our most finished floor. "Within all of the floors, we're finalizing painting, installing all of the ceiling grid systems, and working on placing carpet and the ceramic tile in the bathrooms. We're basically doing the same thing on every floor, but just in different stages." The business school will boast a 250-plus-seat auditorium, which will feature state-of-the-art audio and video equipment. "There are some unique metal wall panels that are being placed in the auditorium," Emerick notes. "It's also set up to bring automobiles into the space." In addition, a finance lab will be housed on the first floor and include a Bloomberg terminal-like fact ticker showcasing real-time financial market data. There is also a two-story interior atrium space She notes that many businesses are moving their headquarters downtown. "There are many people moving back into the city, so a lot of new housing projects are being built," Emerick says. "It's exciting to walk up and down the road and see so many people. You can really feel the energy. "We take a lot of pride in and have a lot of passion for these projects because Detroit is really making a comeback right now," she continues. "It's really something to be a part of this resurgence, and our entire team feels that way. No matter whom you talk to on the site, everyone is really passionate about this job and excited to be a part of Detroit's comeback." 133 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2 CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM