Builders Exchange of Michigan 2007 Eastcastle Dr SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 616 949 8650 www grbx com
CONTENT & PROJECT SUPERVISION
Katie Hawley Business Manager
Builders Exchange of Michigan
DESIGN
Courtney Howe
The Yellow Umbrella Creative
AD SALES
Cheryl Rose Member Services Manager
Builders Exchange of Michigan
The Source Quarterly (TSQ) is published for the benefit of the visiting public and members of the Builders Exchange of Michigan While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this document, no responsibility will be assumed by Builders Exchange of Michigan, or any of its partners, for errors or omissions No warranties are made regarding the information contained herein Endorsement, views, and opinions in advertisements is not binding All of the information furnished herein is subject to change without notice All rights reserved No portion of this document may be reproduced without prior written consent
BX Events
8 Meet the Team: BX Employee Highlights
On Your Radar Planning Projects to Watch 10 Project Highlight: Hermitage at Diamond
12 Fast-Track Your Estimating: BX Member Discount from ASPE
2025 BX BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KEN JANSEN, Board President Lake Michigan Insurance Agency
JODI VAN HAREN, Board Vice President Advantage Mechanical Refrigeration
MARK LAUTENBACH, Board Treasurer VBA CPAs
GLENN RAHN, Director Retail Design Consultants
DAVE MOORE, Director Grand Rapids Gravel
CARRIE WILSON, Director Freedom Construction
ELGIN CLARK, Director AbsolutAire Inc
BRUCE COURTADE, Director Rhoades McKee PC
DAN OOSTERINK, Past President Dave Cole Decorators DON TUCKER, Director Standard Lumber / Standard Kitchen
CHRISTIAN ANTONINI, Executive Vice President Builders Exchange of Michigan
UPCOMING BX EVENTS
Planning an Event?
The NEW! BX ConferenceRoom (locatedat2007Eastcastle Dr.SE,GrandRapids,MI 49508) isavailableto rentforBXMembers!
Please note our new billing, mailing, & remittance address: PO Box 8026 Grand Rapids, MI
49518-8026
ON YOUR RADAR Project Watch with Becky Colón
Becky has been with the Builders Exchange of Michigan as a Construction News Reporter since 2010. She enjoys finding out about projects in the early planning stages and building relationships with project owners, architects, and engineers.
RENOVATIONANDADDITIONFORALIBRARY/ProjectID
2025-1365
A public request for proposals for contractor bids will be released in August and construction is planned to begin in October for this $800,000 project Plans call for a new indoor/outdoor programming space which with 1,200 square feet of indoor space that will fit 25 to 40 people comfortably. This indoor space will open up to an approximately 700 square foot patio, which will be accessible from the parking lot. There will also be extensive site and landscaping improvements.
LARGE-SCALEMIXED-USEDEVELOPMENT/ProjectID
2021-26BA
Builders Exchange has been reporting on this $209 million project since 2021 There will be a total of 577 units across 4 residential buildings, a six-story parking deck, and retail on 8 acres. Construction will begin in September, and the first building is planned to be open by August 2026 while total project completion is slated for late 2028.
CRIMINALJUSTICECOMPLEX/ProjectID
2025-1027
This $50 to $60 million facility is in the early planning stages The new jail will have 250 beds, including modern facilities to assist inmates with mental health and physical needs. The old jail will be demolished.
SENIORHOUSINGCOMPLEXPHASES2AND3/ProjectID
2023-2C4F-A & 2023-2C4F-B
Builders Exchange has been following this project since October of 2023 Phase 1 is now underway The total estimate for phases 2 and 3 is approximately $30 million and construction is anticipated to begin on phases 2 and 3 late this year Both phases will see the construction of a 40 to 50-unit senior apartment building
MIXED-USEDEVELOPMENT/ProjectID2025-12BC
Groundbreaking on this four-story 9,000 square foot development is slated for the spring of 2026. The total project cost is estimated to be $6 million with construction costs of $4.5 million. The plan involves demolishing the existing commercial retail building to construct a modern structure that will house three distinct commercial spaces alongside residential housing on the upper floors.
This state-of-the-art $11 million facility will feature a putting and short-range practice area, multiple hitting bays with golf simulators, men's and women's locker rooms, and a fitness area. It will also feature an outdoor practice facility, including a driving range and a short-game practice area for putting, chipping, and bunker work.
Construction is slated to begin by the end of 2025 with completion planned for the first quarter of 2027 for this $30 million distribution center The facility will be one story and will total approximately 2,111,200 square feet in size. This will include 2,004,149 square feet of warehouse storage space, 90,952 square feet of accessory office / sales space, and 20,572 square feet of R&D (Research and Development) and testing space.
This redevelopment project will be a $50 million investment. The 100,000 square foot boutique hotel will have a restaurant, bar, speakeasy, and 127 rooms Construction is planned to begin in 2029 with completion in 2030
Highlights Employee Meetthe Team at BX!
SASHA
with BX since 5/21/24
It's been a year since I started working at the BX, and it’s been amazing! My role is relatively new I work closely with members and manage data throughout their lifecycle I really appreciate the chance to grow and maintain a good work-life balance.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading books, especially science fiction and graphic novels. I love a good workout, long walks, and bike rides. Lately, I’ve been getting into coffee brewing and working on my latte art.
I started BX as a part-time job in college; I very quickly fell in love with the job and team atmosphere Now, almost 7 years later I’m still here and full-time!
There is something about scouting around for construction leads that feels like hunting for treasure and it’s always fun to strike gold! It’s an incredible experience to see projects through all their stages and be able to watch as our beautiful state continues to build and grow.
with BX since 8/22/18
DESIREE
with BX since 5/29/19
It has been a pleasure working for and growing with BX for the past 6 years, reporting on the growth and construction in our state
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family camping, fishing, rock hunting and all things outdoors I especially love bird watching and flower/vegetable gardening, for "Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing and privilege it is to be alive!"
ASHLEY
with BX since 5/29/18
Throughout my career, consistent across positions, my role has included administrative oversite and execution with an emphasis on improving processes and the human experience. Service has always been at the forefront of my ideology, whether it be timely & professional excellence for the external members/customers, putting the 'human' back in Human Resources by improving workplace culture and lending a hand where needed, or by leading with transparency and fostering improvement through the celebration of diversity and the ideas therein
Away from Builders Exchange of Michigan, I serve in several administrative capacities ranging from the leading of the media team at church, serving in women and children’s ministry, bookkeeping for Construction Allies in Action, and serving as a board member for Kingdom Life Community Development Corp I enjoy live music (particularly string instruments and jazz), being outdoors, and embarking on new adventures with my daughter!
I am an avid thrifter and love the hunt! I love the challenge of finding something unique and fun for myself or someone else. I also love sports, almost any kind, but I have a special love for Detroit Tigers baseball – Go Tigers! I am passionate about Christian Concerts and especially love attending UnityFest, a 4-day outdoor festival with my husband in August. Family – Married to Mani for 40 years in July and proud mama of a blended family of 4 grown children and 3 grand-daughters in Colorado
I love working at Builders Exchange of Michigan! I’m passionate about the tools we offer our members and teaching everyone how to use them Our staff is great! Unique and different, very loyal and dedicated to their work Motto I try to live by: 1
Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing
STEPHANIE
with BX since 9/19/22
My time here at Builders Exchange has flown by! I’ve really enjoyed working with our team here for the past three years. We’re a small group so it really makes the work feel more rewarding, and I find that every day is a little different, which is great. Learning more about the construction industry has been so interesting and I love seeing what projects are being worked on state-wide!
I’ve been a voracious reader since I was a child, and outside of work it’s not uncommon to find me with a book in my hands I love to travel as well, this year I’ve been to the Upper Peninsula and the Bahamas/ Dominican Republic on a cruise! My friends and I spend a lot of time playing board games and you can find us at trivia every Thursday
KATIE
CHERYL with BX since 5/6/19
Celebrating 150 Years at the Hermitage at Diamond
Since 2017, the restoration of the former church building at the Hermitage at Diamond has been a story of persistence, partnership, and a passion for preserving local history. Over the past eight years, the project team has worked through plenty of challenges, from tax law changes that reduced donations to a lightning strike that damaged the steeple in 2023
This year marks an exciting milestone: the property’s 150th birthday To celebrate, the team has set a goal to raise $150,000 by fall. These funds will help install the last two rose windows on the east and west sides of the building. Each window measures more than 10 feet across and is built from sixteen custom stained glass panels that took a full year to produce in the right colors
Once the windows are in place, the exterior restoration will be complete The work doesn’t stop there, though New gutters and downspouts are also part of this phase, along with continued improvements that will keep the building in good shape for years to come.
While the feasibility study suggests that launching a multimillion dollar campaign isn’t possible right now, the team is committed to moving forward with the projects they can support Just like the restoration of the Wealthy Theatre, which took 15 years to finish, this effort shows how steady progress can make a lasting impact.
If you’d like to learn more or find out how to get involved, stay tuned for updates as the Hermitage continues to take shape •
Thank you to Carol Moore for contributions to this article!
Fundamentals of Estimating Workshop: Fast-Track Your Estimating Career with Live In-Person Training
Unlock the power of accurate and effective estimating at our intensive, two-day "Fundamentals of Estimating Workshop" in Omaha, NE, September 24 – 25, 2025
Are you a construction professional looking to transition into the rewarding field of estimating? An entry-level estimator eager to build a rock-solid foundation? Or a company seeking a dedicated, in-person training solution for your team? Look no further – this is the crash course you ' ve been searching for.
Join expert Certified Professional Estimators for two full days of hands-on training designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to confidently tackle any construction project This comprehensive workshop will delve into the core principles of estimating through four targeted courses:
Plan Reading, Specifications, and Takeoff:
Learn to interpret construction documents, understand codification formats, dissect project specifications, and perform various types of takeoff (area, linear, and count)
Scope of Work and Quantity Takeoff: Define the complete scope of a project, correlate trades to plans and specifications, identify adjacent work, construct a clear Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and derive necessary materials and construction methods
Labor and Material Pricing: Discover proven strategies for collecting accurate labor and material pricing data, determine labor costs including burdens, assemble efficient crews, understand productivity rates, and master material pricing application including coverages, waste factors, and rounding.
Additional Pricing and Live Bid Exercise:
Explore methodologies for applying pricing for equipment and subcontractors, analyze crucial costs, understand the application of standard project and organizational markups (including contingency and escalation), and put your skills to the test in an engaging live bid exercise.
Can’t Make it to Omaha?
Explore Our Online Options!
If live, in-person training in Omaha is not feasible for you, we also offer an excellent online alternative through ASPE's Certificate in Construction Estimating (CiCE) courses.
Builders Exchange of Michigan
Member Discount:
As a Builders Exchange of Michigan member, you can access ASPE's online Certificate courses at a discounted rate! Get a $50 discount per course.
Courses Include: Basic Estimating Math Plan Reading for Estimating Introduction to Construction Estimating I Introduction to Construction Estimating II Construction Materials and Processes I Estimating and Bidding
Complete all six courses to earn the ASPE Certificate in Construction Estimating To receive the discounted rate of $525 per course, create a GRBX member profile using this unique link. (Click here for step-by-step instructions or contact KHawley@grbx.com for details.) Then register for any of the six courses listed above.
Invest in your estimating skills and pave the way for a successful construction career! •
Natasha Crumbliss, Education Program Manager at American Society of Professional Estimators
