JACKSON, Mich., JAN. 14, 2021 – Believing that form follows function and having moved through the development of a program-focused facility design, the Jackson YMCA has selected two organizations to round out its capital campaign design and construction team.
The YMCA Board of Directors, acting on recommendations of its campaign Building and Design Committee, selected Granger Construction Co. as the project’s construction manager and Bergmann as the YMCA’s architect/engineer. The committee and both firms are working closely with Gro Development Inc., a leader in the development, design and management of YMCAs and other community-based facilities; samples of their YMCA work are available at www.gro-dev.com.
The announcement follows a months-long process that included requests for proposals from local and regional firms, extensive interviews and final selections. The Building and Design Committee is composed of local volunteers and chaired by Jason Vasaris, Manager of Real Estate Services at Henry Ford Allegiance Health and a member of the Jackson YMCA board.
“We are pleased to make these announcements, as both firms have established track records of success,” Vasaris said. “Notably, Granger has a long record of successful projects in Jackson and has deep ties to Jackson area subcontractors and labor.”
This news follows a series of recent capital campaign announcements. The YMCA has raised close to $21 million in pledges and contributions to fund a new healthy living campus in the heart of downtown.
Headquartered in Lansing, Granger specializes in design-build, construction management, integrated project delivery and general contracting services. The company has completed a number of successful projects in Jackson including the Jackson City Hall historic renovation, the Consumers Energy headquarters, the City of Jackson parking structures that serve as bookends to the CE building, the Jackson High School renovation and Jackson Public Schools 2004 bond program.
“On every Granger project we make sure we take our neighbors into account and will ensure that this project is a great experience for everyone,” said Brad Hesche, Granger Project Director. Hesche added that Granger is committed to making the project highly accessible to qualified local partners. “This is a community-based project, so it’s important that Jackson and the surrounding communities play a part in bringing the YMCA to life. Additionally, Granger prioritizes making subcontractor opportunities available to minority- and women-owned businesses through active outreach and strategic packaging of work.”
With offices in Lansing and Grand Rapids, Bergmann has been serving clients throughout the country for four decades. Bergmann’s regional portfolio of architecture and planning work extends across Michigan and the Midwest, with recent commercial design and renovation projects in Jackson including renovation of the Jackson State Office Building.
“The project is not just designing and building a new facility; it’s about creating a space that fosters connection and support, providing necessary health and wellness and family services that will allow the people of Jackson to thrive in the decades to come,” said Bergmann Principal Buddy Huyler. “This new facility will be designed to deliver programs and support that can be accessed by ALL.”
“Our board’s priority was selecting firms that were committed to not only creating a space that reflects the heart and soul of the community but working with as many local firms as possible,” said CEO Shawna Tello. She added the YMCA’s Building and Design Committee and its new partners have compiled a list of more than 30 local vendors and subcontractors who may be interested in the project and will receive an invitation to bid. “Granger and Bergmann are dedicated to building a new facility for the community with community partners, one that supports health and well-being and encourages community engagement.”
The YMCA’s newest partners will contribute greatly to ongoing cost analysis and value engineering. The YMCA’s volunteers and staff leadership continue to work with the capital campaign’s major donors and collaborative partners as well as seek additional financial support. The Jackson YMCA has raised over $7 million dollars in 2020 as it works to close the project’s funding gap. For more information, visit www.JacksonYMCA.org.