By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Construction crews have the bones in place for the long-awaited Kent County Human Services Complex at 121 Franklin St. SE. The steel frame and the concrete floors on all three levels are complete; the mechanical and electrical rough-ins and ductwork placements are in progress. Roof construction began this week, brick and glass installation happens in late August, and final enclosure of the building should wrap up by mid-November.
Crews demolished the outdated former Sheldon Complex building and two houses across the street to make way for the 137,000-square-foot building—the county government's first LEED project—and two surface parking lots.
“Our intent is to provide comprehensive human services all in one location for the citizens of Kent County,” says Bob Mihos, Kent County spokesperson. “It provides easier access to the variety of services we offer, and there’s a bus stop right there so it’s easy to get to for people who use public transportation.”
The Department of Human Services, ACSET-MichiganWorks!, and the Sheldon Health Clinic will share the building. Services include Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services.
The building minimizes energy use with high-efficiency mechanical systems, a reflective roof to minimize heat load and low-flow toilets. It also features low-VOC flooring and paints.
“Through a competitive bid process we chose Steelcase furniture," Mihos continues. "Part of the selection process was their ability to provide materials that can be recycled.”
The $27 million building will open sometime in May 2009.
Source: Bob Mihos, Kent County Facilities Management and Planning
Photo by Brian Kelly
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$27M building to replace Kent County's aging Sheldon Complex
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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