- Project Name Campus Martius Park
- Client Detroit 300 Conservancy
- Category Commercial, Public & Municipal
- Location 800 Woodward Detroit, MI
- Construction Manager White - Olson, LLC
- Architect/Engineer Rundell Ernstberger Associates, LLC
Project Summery
Campus Martius is a unique, office, retail, and residential environment situated around a public park and gathering space in the heart of downtown Detroit. Bordered on all sides by skyscrapers, the park is one of the many epicenters of social activity in this urban setting.
Working as the majority partner of White Olson LLC, White Construction served as the Construction Manager for the revitalization efforts on the 1.6 acre public park. This project transformed the main intersection within a tight urban setting into a spectacular civic square. The park features the Ford Entertainment Stage which hosts live concerts, and outdoor movies. Other attractions include ice skating, flower gardens, world class water fountains, a cafe, and a variety of other attractions throughout the year.
Project Challenges
Project challenges included accommodating all the designated uses on less than two acres of land; reducing time for setup and breakdown while working with fixed performance lights sound, and stages; creating a park that is active year round; creating a multi-purpose space, and working within a small area that experiences heavy traffic flow throughout all hours of the business day. Innovative solutions to accommodate the limited working space and inconspicuously power a fountain included the installation of a mechanical room, fountain pumps, a transformer, master controls, and control room underground. Special light poles were specifically designed to light the park and accommodate speakers for sound transmittal of all park performances. In addition, areas of the plaza surface can be raised and lowered for performances, creating stage space at the north end as well as the north side of the central fountain.
