6 Building Futures in Steel and STEM: Ideal Contracting and Frank Venegas, Jr.’s Legacy in Robotics Education
Image Award: John Sarver
& Design Awards
Looking Up: Discovering Detroit’s Past in Its Architecture
Bridging the Gap: Teaching Ethics to Architecture Students Before They Enter the Profession
Challenges Upside Down
Together: Public-Private Partnerships Breathe New Life into Historic Northville
Detroit Builds Again: Start Ups Help Power City’s Transformation BY PRANAV DESHMUKH
Working Together Toward a Brighter Future: Detroit’s Solar Neighborhoods Take Root BY SUSAN THWING
A Guide to Writing as an Engineer BY SUSAN THWING
ESD Fellows gathered for a photograph at the ESD Annual Dinner in June. Read about it beginning on page 33.
Cover: Frank Venegas, Jr.
TOP 50 IN THE NATIO TOP 50 IN THE NATIO
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked Detroit Mercy among the top colleges in Michigan and the United States, based on student outcomes, learning environment and diversity
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked Detroit Mercy the top colleges in Michigan and the United States, based o student outcomes, learning environment and diversity.
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tech century
V.30 I N.2 Fall 2025
20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450 • Southfield, MI 48076
Dear TechCentury readers, as summer winds down, thank you for your continued support. Our cover story features Frank Venegas, Jr., of Ideal Contracting and his inspiring work with the Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit, part of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation.
This issue celebrates innovation in construction and design with a showcase of the 2025 ESD Construction & Design Award recipients, honored for excellence in teamwork, quality, innovation, and sustainability. We also highlight the power of collaboration in engineering and architecture, including:
• A feature on the collective impact of the ESD Affiliate Council
• Public-private partnerships fueling development in Northville
• Detroit’s architectural history through a collaborative lens
• Profiles of the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
We round out the issue with a review of A Guide to Writing as an Engineer —a valuable resource for technical professionals.
Finally, we spotlight several notable people: 2025 Horace H. Rackham Award recipient Joseph A. Aristeo, Image Award recipient John Sarver, and Dr. Icie Macy Hoobler, the first woman to join ESD. Our corporate profile features Burns & McDonnell.
These are just a few of the topics we’ve packed into this issue. As you read the articles and view the coverage of ESD’s events and activities, we hope that you find plenty to inspire, inform, and engage.
Lead the Legacy of the Mighty Mac
Reasons to apply:
• Opportunity to work on one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
• Responsible for engineering and maintenance on one of the most famous and photographed bridges in the U.S.
• In Michigan and among bridge fans, the chief engineer is kind of a big deal; you might be interviewed, featured in documentaries or asked to give talks, including at international long span bridge conferences.
• Manage and supervise all aspects of structural, mechanical and electrical maintenance of the bridge.
For position details:
Scan the QR Code to the left or visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/michigan/MDOT/jobs/ 5008403/engineer-manager-licensed-14-mackinac-bridge
Connect with:
Kipp Vaughn, Mackinac Bridge Authority at VaugnK4@Michigan.gov or 906-643-1329
Serving and connecting people, communities, and the economy through transportation.
Together, We’re Building the Future of Design and Construction
The Fall 2025 issue of TechCentury celebrates the spirit of collaboration and the power of innovation in construction and design—two fields that are shaping Michigan’s future in real time. Congratulations to all of our Construction and Design Award recipients and to all of the awardees at the ESD Annual Dinner, including Rackham Humanitarian Award Recipient Joseph A. Aristeo. Your vision and dedication represent the very best of what engineering and architecture can accomplish when driven by purpose.
At DTE and The Engineering Society of Detroit, we’re proud to support the people and partnerships that are advancing Michigan’s engineering legacy. Together, we are building smarter, stronger, and more sustainable communities.
This issue highlights exactly that: transformative projects made possible through collaboration. From the work of Frank Venegas, Jr. of Ideal Contracting at the Detroit Robotics Center to inspiring stories about entrepreneurship, renewable energy, and Detroit’s architectural heritage, the content reflects the dynamic, interdisciplinary nature of today’s engineering challenges and the creative minds meeting them head-on.
We’re especially proud of the role that ESD plays in developing the next generation of engineers. From engineering-minded youth outreach and mentorship programs to scholarships and student chapters at Michigan universities, we are deeply committed to inspiring future innovators and ensuring they are equipped to lead.
Thank you to our partners, donors, and community for your ongoing support. The future of construction and design in Michigan is bold, inclusive, and full of promise. And together, we’re building it.
Bob Richard President, The Engineering Society of Detroit President and Chief Operating Officer, DTE Gas, DTE Energy
ESD President Bob Richard (right) honoring the 2025 ESD Emerging Young Professional, Danny Cline from ZF Group at the ESD Annual Dinner in June.
DTE was proud to join MEDC in sponsoring Link in the D on July 24, where ESD connects college students and young professionals with engineering leaders.
Building Futures in Steel and STEM
IDEAL CONTRACTING AND FRANK VENEGAS, JR.’S LEGACY IN ROBOTICS EDUCATION
A
s the Ideal companies celebrate over 45 years of service in the construction industry and the Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit (RECD) marks its 10th anniversary, one name stands prominently at the intersection of both milestones: Frank Venegas Jr.
Known throughout Southwest Detroit as the “man of steel,” Venegas is far more than a successful business leader. He is a champion of youth empowerment, a catalyst for community change, and a tireless advocate for STEM education. His journey—from selling a raffle-won Cadillac to founding a $600 million business enterprise—culminates not just in steel structures, but in building lives.
Founded in 1998, Ideal Contracting is a cornerstone of the Ideal Group, a Detroit-based family of companies that includes construction, manufacturing, and facilities management services. Under the leadership of Venegas and his family, including his children Jesse and Linzie and brother Loren, the company is guided not solely by profit, but by purpose.
“It wasn’t to build the biggest buildings or make the most money,” the company states. “It was a commitment to people.”
That core philosophy continues to ripple across their work, from constructing high-profile infrastructure to investing in local youth.
The Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit (RECD) offers young people a pathway into robotics, engineering and construction.
Perhaps nowhere is this commitment more evident than in Ideal’s longstanding partnership with the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC), especially its Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit. Located in a 28,000-square-foot building in Corktown, the RECD serves as a launchpad for more than 5,000 students and adults each year. It’s a space where curiosity meets innovation, and where underserved youth gain access to opportunity through robotics.
The RECD recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting for its new expansion—an achievement made possible in part by the Frank Venegas Jr. Next Level Grant. For Venegas, the expansion was more than a donation, it was the next logical step in a decades-long commitment to transforming young lives.
“We recognized a critical need for a dedicated space where students could come together to collaborate, innovate, and grow,” said Venegas. “Robotics is a powerful gateway to STEM careers. The center became a place where kids not only build robots, but also confidence, skills, and futures.”
Venegas’s relationship with DHDC dates back to 1996, when he was instrumental in founding the Gang Retirement and Continuing Education and Employment (GRACE) program, a bold initiative that brought together youth from rival gangs to work side by side. It was a radical idea rooted in hope and accountability.
The RECD recently expanded, thanks to a Frank Venegas, Jr. Next Level Grant.
Students work on their robots at the Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit, part of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation.
“Mentor someone you don’t know. That makes the biggest difference.”
— Frank Venegas, Jr.
“We asked them, what do you want to create peace around here?” Venegas recalled. “They said they wanted jobs with opportunity, and for us not to leave.”
True to his word, Venegas never left. Over the years, his business and his mission have grown together, forging a powerful pipeline between education and industry. In 2008, Ideal Group launched a work-study partnership with Detroit Cristo Rey High School, and by 2014, it helped launch a robotics team with DHDC and a local high school, pairing students with engineering mentors from Detroit’s major automakers.
That initiative evolved into the RECD, a space Venegas envisioned as a “hub of inspiration and opportunity.”
Today, his vision has not only taken shape—it has exceeded expectations. Students at RECD compete in state-level robotics tournaments, explore programming and design, and engage in hands-on experiences that prepare them for college and careers.
And the results speak volumes. Four RECD alumni are now full-time professionals at Ideal Group. Others have gone on to pursue careers in engineering, technology, and skilled trades.
“We now have RECD alums placed as professionals and skilled employees in major corporations building family and community worth,” said Venegas. “This center is a career pathway.”
Yet, he is quick to note that the journey has not been without challenges.
“To me, the easy part was the renovation and the expansion,” he said. “The difficult part is funding the ongoing K–12 FIRST programs each year.”
From transportation and food to building practice fields and hosting university lab visits, the costs extend far beyond the competition’s capped budget. That’s why Venegas continues to call on more corporations to see centers like RECD not as charity, but as essential components of their future talent pipelines.
Indeed, whether it’s through FIRST Robotics, his approach is the same: invest early, build intentionally,
Strong teamwork and collaboration is key for students to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition.
and never underestimate the power of one opportunity to change a life.
“My advice to other business leaders is simple,” he said. “Start now and start with purpose. This isn’t just philanthropy, it’s a strategic investment in your industry and community. These programs ignite curiosity, build critical skills, and create pathways to opportunity.”
Frank Venegas’s story is rich in contrasts: a Cadillacturned-steel empire, a factory repurposed for peace, rival gangs transformed into teammates. But through all the steel and success, it is the stories of children discovering their potential that he cherishes most.
Each year, he visits the RECD to witness Bag Night, a robotics tradition where students unveil their designs before sealing them for competition.
“It’s my favorite night,” Venegas said. “What stands out most is how the students naturally collaborate. Regardless of background or experience, they come together with a shared passion and purpose.” That shared purpose—lifting others while building something real—is the legacy Venegas most wants to leave behind.
“I remind people about mentoring,” he said. “That doesn’t mean a nephew or a niece. . . Mentor someone you don’t know. That makes the biggest difference.”
At 71, Venegas shows no sign of slowing down. Whether as CEO of Ideal Group or padrino of the RECD,
he continues to invest in the promise of Detroit’s next generation.
To the students who pass through the Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit, he offers this advice: “Keep building, keep learning, find a mentor—and most importantly, keep lifting others as you rise.”
And as Ideal Contracting builds toward its next chapter, it does so with the same principle that guided its first: building people, not just projects. Through vision, investment, and heart, Frank Venegas Jr. and his team are constructing more than facilities—they’re helping shape a brighter future, one student at a time.
The new RECD logo recognizes the support of Frank Venegas, Jr.
The Robotics Engineering Center of Detroit gives students the tools they need to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition.
Dr. Icie Macy Hoobler
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE FIRST WOMAN MEMBER OF THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF DETROIT
BY SUSAN THWING
By all accounts, Icie G. Macy Hoobler, PhD, should not have become a scientist. Born in 1892 on a remote Missouri farm, surrounded by dirt roads and dairy cows, she began life tethered to the rhythms of country living. But Hoobler’s childhood was also rich in something far more powerful than material wealth: curiosity. How did seeds sprout? How did chicks hatch? Why did children—especially in poorer communities—get so sick?
That wonderment, and the unwavering support of progressive parents who believed that education was a legacy worth more than land or livestock, launched Hoobler on a path that would ultimately change the way the world understands maternal and infant nutrition. Her groundbreaking scientific work led her to become not only a national leader in nutritional biochemistry but also the first female member of The Engineering Society of Detroit—a milestone that spoke volumes in a time when women were still often barred from research labs and faculty lounges.
A Career Forged in Resistance
Hoobler’s journey into science began despite—not because of—the institutions of her day. After earning degrees from Central Female College and the University of Chicago, she pursued a master’s at the University of Colorado and eventually completed a Ph.D. in physiological chemistry at Yale in 1920. These accomplishments were remarkable enough; more remarkable still was what she overcame to earn them.
At Pittsburgh’s Western Pennsylvania Hospital, her first postPhD job, she encountered hostile working conditions. The hospital had no women’s restrooms, and she was expected to use a public facility a block away. She developed acute nephritis from holding her bladder rather than risk disapproval by leaving her lab post. She couldn’t eat with the male doctors or the nurses. She was forced to eat leftovers alone, despite holding the highest academic degree among them.
Such indignities didn’t defeat her. If anything, they strengthened her resolve.
Michigan Beckons: A Life’s Work Begins
In 1923, Michigan became Hoobler’s laboratory for change. She joined the Merrill-Palmer School in Detroit—an institution committed to studying child development—and established the Nutrition Research Laboratory in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Michigan. That work was later absorbed by the Children’s Fund of Michigan, where she served as director of nutrition research for over 30 years.
It was here that Hoobler conducted the first metabolic studies on pregnant and lactating women. Her research provided the foundation for the National Research Council’s dietary recommendations for pregnancy and breastfeeding, reshaping public health policies nationwide. Under her leadership, the laboratory published over 300 scientific papers and 18 books, establishing itself as a global authority on maternal and infant nutrition.
Hoobler’s work wasn’t confined to test tubes and titrations. She translated research into action, designing programs that distributed tons of milk, soup, fruit, lemon juice powder, and cod liver oil to low-income families. These interventions virtually eradicated diseases like rickets and scurvy in American children. Her studies on vitamin D fortification,
infant anemia, and the impact of prenatal care made lasting contributions to both science and society.
A Trailblazer in Science— and in Detroit
In 1931, Hoobler became the first woman to chair a local division of the American Chemical Society, and she would later serve as its national president. That same year, she broke another barrier closer to home when she became the first female member of The Detroit Engineering Society (which was renamed The Engineering Society of Detroit in 1936).
While the Society was traditionally the domain of male civil engineers, architects, and industrial designers, Hoobler’s invitation to join reflected the growing respect for interdisciplinary collaboration and her status as a scientific luminary. Her work spanned chemistry, biology, medicine, public health, and policy, and her influence extended far beyond the laboratory.
Her leadership roles continued: she was president of the American Institute of Nutrition and the Michigan Academy of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. She was a fellow of the American Public Health Association and a member of 18 scientific societies. Among her many awards were the prestigious Francis P. Garvan Medal from the American Chemical Society (1946) and honorary doctorates from Wayne State University and Grand Valley State College—the latter an institution she helped found.
Writing Her Legacy
In 1982, two years before her death, Hoobler published Boundless Horizons: Portrait of a Pioneer Woman Scientist , an autobiography that detailed not only her professional accomplishments but also the sexism and institutional barriers she fought throughout her life. Her writing reflected a quiet but resolute pride. She was not bitter—she was determined.
She had married late in life— at 46—to Detroit pediatrician Dr. Raymond Hoobler, who passed away after just five years of marriage. After retirement, she remained in Michigan as a consultant and advocate for scientific education until returning to her hometown of Gallatin, Missouri, where she died in 1984 at the age of 91.
Her legacy lives on in the healthier lives of millions of children, in the continued relevance of her nutrition research, and in every
woman scientist who finds herself standing at the front of the room— blushing, maybe, but confident and capable.
A Pioneer, Remembered
That she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in the same year of her death is fitting, though overdue. That she was the first woman to join The Engineering Society of Detroit is telling, not just of her brilliance, but of her bravery.
Dr. Icie Macy Hoobler didn’t just change science. She changed society—starting with a single child on a rural Missouri farm who wondered why some babies thrived and others didn’t. She took that question and pursued the answer across decades, disciplines, and institutions, leaving behind a world infinitely healthier, wiser, and more just than the one in which she was born.
Susan Thwing is the editor of TechCentury magazine and a seasoned communicator with over 30 years of experience in journalism, university communications, healthcare, engineering, and research. She specializes in making complex topics clear, compelling, and human-centered. Her work has supported leading institutions and technical societies across Michigan and beyond.
Dr. Icie Macy Hoobler’s obituary was published in the New York Times on January 13, 1984.
The contributions of these recently deceased members will not be forgotten:
DANIEL G. CRAWFORD
Retired, Vehicle Systems Engineer – Chassis, General Motors
ESD Senior Engineers Council Member since 1956
JOHN EDWARD ENKEMANN, JR., AIA, NCARB
Retired, Executive Vice President & COO, Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.
Future City Competition Judge
ESD Construction & Design Awards Committee
Member since 2005
RUSSELL GRONEVELT, PE
Retired, President/Principal, Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc.
Douglas E. Patton, FESD, was President of ESD from 2015 to 2018. ESD honored him posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
DAVID L. HAMILTON
Retired, CEO, George Auch Construction Member since 2006
JAMES HALL KENT
Retired, Chairman & CEO, Kent Enterprises, LTD
Retired, Geologist, State of Michigan Health Department Member since 1987
WILLIAM J. MOYLAN, PE, FESD, FELLOW IEEE
Principal Engineer, Moylan Engineering Associates Inc.
Electrical Engineer, Detroit Edison Co.
Ford Motor Co.
Member of the ESD College of Fellows
ESD Foundation Donor Committee
ESD Annual Awards Committee Member since 1969
DOUGLAS E. PATTON, FESD
Retired, Executive V. P. & CTO of the Engineering Div.,
DENSO International America Inc.
Caterpillar, Inc.
ESD President, 2015-2018
Member of the ESD College of Fellows
ESD Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumous)
Future City Competition Judge
ESD Strategic Planning Committee
ESD Leadership Circle Member since 2003
ROBERT L. RICHARDSON
President, R. L. Richardson & Associates
President, AmMex International, LLC
Retired, Assistant to the Chairman & V. P. of Marketing, Jervis B. Webb Co.
Member of the ESD Board of Directors
ESD Distinguished Service Award
ESD Membership Committee Member since 1976
WILLIAM A. RUTH, M.T.
Trainer/Manager, Temperform LLC,
ESD Affiliate Council Past President
Future City Competition Judge Member since 1990
LOUIS WEBERMAN
Retired, General Motors Member since 1964
HRC APPOINTS TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. (HRC), a Bloomfield Hillsbased consulting engineering firm, has named Bradley W. Shepler, PE, and Karyn M. Stickel, PE, to its Board of Directors. Both have also been promoted to Vice Presidents and Partners, joining the firm’s leadership team.
Shepler has been with HRC since 2000, most recently serving as a Senior Associate and Client Manager. A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University, Shepler is also the current president of the Michigan Section of ASCE.
Stickel was hired by HRC in 2001. Prior to becoming a Partner, she held the title of Senior Associate. She holds a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. She was inducted into the ESD College of Fellows in June 2025. She is also chair of ESD’s TechCentury Editorial Board.
GARZA RETURNS TO BARTON MALOW
Barton Malow has welcomed back Tom Garza as Vice President of Industrial Services. His return comes at a pivotal time as the firm looks to expand its value-driven, innovation-focused services. COO Chuck Binkowski praised Garza’s leadership and deep industry expertise.
MSU HIRES RESEARCHER THROUGH AGRICULTURAL RESILIENCY PROGRAM
Subhasis Giri, PhD, has joined Michigan State University as an assistant professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering through the Agricultural Resiliency Program. Giri, who earned his doctorate from MSU, previously served at Rutgers University’s Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis.
CHRISTMAN MOVES OFFICE TO BOOK TOWER
The Christman Company has moved its Detroit office into the newly restored Book Tower, a historic downtown landmark the firm helped renovate. “Our move reaffirms Christman’s century-long commitment to Detroit’s growth,” said Joe Luther , senior vice president and general manager.
FISHBECK PROMOTES TWO TO SVP
Fishbeck has announced the promotion of Bryan Turczynski, PE , and Ryan Musch, PE, LEED AP, SITES AP , to Senior Vice Presidents. Based in Novi, Turczynski is recognized for integrating technologies such as AI and drones into civil engineering practices and will lead strategic growth in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. Musch, based in Grand Rapids, brings nearly two decades of experience and has led major efforts such as WMU’s Hilltop Village and the Special Olympics Unified Sports Center. “Both Bryan and Ryan embody Fishbeck’s innovative spirit and leadership,” said President Jeff Schumaker.
STEWART NAMED FORBES BEST-IN-STATE
Michael B. Stewart, MSE, JD , managing partner and co-founder of Fishman Stewart PLLC, has been named to the inaugural Forbes 2025 list of Best-In-State Lawyers—the only intellectual property (IP) attorney in Michigan to earn this distinction. A strategic adviser to senior executives worldwide, Stewart develops IP management strategies for companies ranging from mid-sized businesses to Fortune 500s. He also brings substantial experience in patent litigation, prosecution, and portfolio management. Stewart holds four degrees from the University of Michigan, including a JD and master’s in aerospace engineering.
GHAFARI JOINS ESD BOARD
Peter Ghafari , Senior Vice President at Ghafari Associates , has joined The Engineering Society of Detroit’s Board of Directors. Ghafari Associates is a global architecture, engineering, and consulting firm that designs spaces where people and businesses thrive.
Bryan Turczynski
Karyn M. Stickel
Bradley W. Shepler
Tom Garza
Peter Ghafari
Michael Stewart
Ryan Musch
Subhasis Giri
Energy Efficiency Program for Business
If you completed an energy efficiency project after January of 2023, but did not previously receive rebates, you may be eligible for 2025 bonuses and rebates.
Don’t leave money on the table! Our Energy Advisors are here to help.
Past project details:
• Projects completed after Jan. 1, 2023, that hadn’t previously received DTE rebates could qualify for 2025 bonuses and rebates.*
• Projects must adhere to 2025 program guidelines.
• Prescriptive and custom projects qualify.
• Indoor agriculture measures will adhere to different guidelines. Contact us for more information.
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ESD SUSTAINING AND CORPORATE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
AECOM Hunt
AKT Peerless Environmental Services
Alberici Constructors, Inc.
American Cancer Society
American Society of Employers
Arcadis
AUCH Construction
Barr Engineering
The Bartech Group
Barton Malow Family of Companies
Central Michigan University
The Christman Company
Chrysan Industries
Clark Hill, PLC
Construction Association of Michigan
Cornerstone Environmental , a Tetra Tech Co.
CPCII
Dale Prentice Company
Dearborn Mid-West Company
DENSO International America, Inc.
Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
DTE Energy
DTE Energy Gas Operations
Dürr Systems, Inc.
Eastern Michigan University
Electro-Matic Ventures, Inc.
Energy Sciences
Executive Energy Services, LLC
Farbman Group
FEV
Financial One, Inc.
FirstMerit Foundation
Fishman Stewart PLLC
Frank Rewold & Sons
Fusion Welding Solutions
Gala & Associates, Inc.
GHD
General Dynamics
General Motors Company
Ghafari Associates, LLC
GLOBAL Automation Technologies
Global Auto Mobility
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
HED
Havel an EMCOR Company
Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
IBI
Ideal Contracting
Innovative Engineered Solutions, Inc.
JNE Consulting
Kettering University
Knovalent, Inc.
Kolene Corporation
Kostal North America
Lake Superior State University
Lansing Board of Water and Light
Lawrence Technological University
LIFT
Limbach Company, Inc.
Link Engineering Co.
LTI Information Technology
Macomb Community College
Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC
MEDA Engineering & Technical Services
Metro Engineering Solutions
Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University
Midwest Steel Inc.
SUSTAINING MEMBER
BENEFIT PARTNER:
Neumann/Smith Architecture
Newman Consulting Group, LLC
NexTech Professional Services
NorthStar Clean Energy
Northern Industrial Manufacturing Corp.
NTH Consultants, Ltd.
Oakland University
Original Equipment Suppliers Association
R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co.
ROWE Professional Services Company
Rumford Industrial Group
Ruby+Associates, Inc.
Saginaw Valley State University
Savills Detroit
SMS Group of Companies
Stellantis
Step Up Recruiting, LLC
System Strategy, Inc.
Testing Engineers & Consultants
Tetra Tech
ThermalNetics
Troy Chamber of Commerce
Universal Compressed Air
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Michigan
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Vital Tech Solutions, LLC
Wade-Trim
Walbridge
Wayne State University
The Whiting Turner Contracting Company
Willdan
WSP USA
ZF Group
Burns & McDonnell Celebrates 125 Years of Engineering Innovation and Client Partnership
Burns & McDonnell is a global engineering, architecture and construction firm with a rich history spanning 125 years. Its engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists do more than plan, design and construct. With a mission unchanged since 1898—making their clients successful — the team partners with its clients on the toughest challenges, constantly working to make the world an amazing place.
The company has grown dramatically since Clinton S. Burns and Robert E. McDonnell set out for the Midwest and earned 13 cents in their first three years as they designed a water and energy plant for a small town in Kansas. The firm continues to blossom from the legacy born in Kansas City, Missouri, where they could reach the most communities needing water and energy within a day’s travel by train.
Their enterprise soon branched into transportation, energy transmission, and military and federal projects. Soon came experience in architecture, aviation, technology, environmental services, manufacturing and process design. From its early days, the firm established a reputation for technical excellence and a commitment to client satisfaction, principles that continue to define its operations to this day.
Today, Burns & McDonnell is a $7.2 billion firm with 75 offices worldwide, including two offices in Michigan: one in downtown Detroit since 2016 and another in Southfield since 2024. The offices have grown to over 70 employeeowners in those few years, and they continue to build critical infrastructure for major power utilities and others across all of Michigan.
The company operates across a wide array of industries, including power generation, renewable energy, electric transmission & distribution, water and transportation infrastructure, oil & gas, aviation, manufacturing, and federal projects. This broad experience allows it to provide comprehensive solutions, from initial planning and design to full-scale construction and ongoing maintenance for critical infrastructure and industry.
Safety isn’t just a metric to the employee-owners at Burns & McDonnell. It’s an ingrained cultural value viewed as a deliverable, like design and construction. The company’s safety performance is consistently better than the industry average, placing it among the top 5% of safest architecture, engineering and construction firms.
It is an intrinsic expectation that everyone working on a project, both employee-owners and those who
work for their partners, goes home safe to their families every night. Every project they complete operates with the safety philosophy that zero recordable incidents can be accomplished with proper planning, resources and follow-through.
A defining characteristic of Burns & McDonnell is its unique employee ownership model. Since 1986, the firm has been 100% employee-owned, a structure that fosters a strong sense of commitment, accountability and shared success within its workforce. Through this ownership culture, employees are invested in the client’s success and will do what it takes to deliver what is needed, when it is needed, and beyond. This translates into a dedicated approach to every project and a continuous pursuit of innovation and improvement. Employee ownership also contributes to a stable and experienced workforce, as employees tend to have longer tenure, building deep institutional knowledge and client relationships.
The company’s commitment extends beyond its projects to its communities and its people. Burns & McDonnell employee-owners embrace their responsibility to give back and nourish the communities where they live and work to become healthy and strong. They share their collective passion by giving financially and investing their time and talents. From fundraising events and community cleanups to educational outreach and one- on- one mentoring — especially when it comes to sharing their passion for STEM projects — the employee- owners work to make their communities successful.
Employee-owners from the Detroit and Southfield offices invest their time with the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank. Additionally, Burns & McDonnell announced over $2 million in support for science centers and museums and over $750,000 in grants to schools to support STEM. These efforts to give back and foster a positive impact resonate both locally and nationally.
Burns & McDonnell is consistently recognized as a top workplace, reflecting its emphasis on employee wellbeing, professional development and a collaborative work environment. The local offices have been consistently recognized as one of Metro Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work for by the National Association of Business Resources (NABR) since 2018 and as a Cool or Best Place to
With an innovation-focused approach, the expansive Burns & McDonnell portfolio underscores the company’s technical capabilities and creative approach to solving the toughest problems for its clients. With a focus on critical infrastructure, its work touches nearly every aspect of modern life. Driven by enduring principles of engineering excellence, employee empowerment and community stewardship, the firm continues to make a significant impact locally in Southeast Michigan and globally.
Work in Southeast Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business in the past few years.
ENGINEERS GET HIRED FALL JOB FAIR
October 30, 2025
Employers: Are you looking for engineering and tech talent? Find the candidates your company needs at ESD’s job fair. ESD job fairs regularly attract skilled engineers and technology professionals seeking full and part-time positions, as well as internships and co-op opportunities.
Job Seekers: Connect with future employers and discover hundreds of job opportunities. Visit one-on-one with representatives from more than 20 of Michigan’s leading engineering and tech companies.
The Engineers Get Hired job fair will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from 2–7 p.m. Visit esd.org/gethired to register as an attendee or exhibitor, or contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
SAVE THE DATE 2026
MARCH 3: SOLID WASTE TECHNICAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 12: SPRING ENGINEERS GET HIRED JOB FAIR
MARCH 18: GOLD AWARD RECEPTION & RECOGNITION
MAY 5: MI ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
JUNE 1: 15th ANNUAL ESD GOLF OUTING
Gold Award nominations are due December 5. Pictured is last year’s recipient. Dr. Pramita Mitra (center) with Susan Wellman-Smith, FESD (left) and Molli Andor from SWE.
BECOME A MENTOR, JUDGE OR SPONSOR
31 st ANNUAL ESD MICHIGAN REGIONAL FUTURE CITY COMPETITION Competition Day: January 20, 2026
This fall, middle school students began work on the Future City Competition; a project-based learning program where students work as a team with an educator and volunteer mentor to design a city of the future. Students will tackle this year’s challenge – Farm to Table. Teams will design a city that eliminates food waste from farm to table while keeping its citizens healthy and safe. There are many opportunities to get involved and help inspire students:
Mentors: Spend an hour or two a week between now and January coaching and advising a team. Share real-life experiences, offer technical guidance, and help translate academic concepts to the real world of engineering and city design. Contact Allison Marrs at amarrs@esd.org or 248353-0735, ext. 121.
Judges: Draw on your expertise to evaluate our team’s efforts. Judges are needed in December and January to review essays and on competition day at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi to evaluate physical models and oral presentations. Contact Leslie Smith at lsmith@esd.org or 248353-0735, ext. 152.
Sponsors: Show your support for the next generation and increase business exposure. There are many opportunities to sponsor a component of competition day. Visit esd.org/futurecity for more information or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248353-0735, ext. 119.
ESD RECOGNIZES ACHIEVEMENT
GOLD AWARD NOMINATIONS
Nomination Deadline: December 5, 2025
At a special reception each March, the ESD Affiliate Council presents its most prestigious tribute, The Gold Award, to honor an outstanding engineer or scientist. Each society may nominate one individual; all nominations received are then judged by a group comprised of past Affiliate Council presidents. The 2026 Gold Award Recognition & Reception will be held on March 18, 2026. Nomination forms can be found at esd.org. For more information, contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
ESD COLLEGE OF FELLOWS NOMINATIONS
Nomination Deadline: February 27, 2026
Help us recognize leaders by nominating a Fellow, one of the highest recognitions that ESD can bestow its members. Candidates are selected based on outstanding professional accomplishments, leadership and service. They must be members in good standing for at least five years at time of application deadline. Full details and instructions are at esd.org. Contact Heather Lilley at hlilley@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 120.
JOHN G. PETTY IMAGE AWARD
Entry Deadline: February 27, 2026
Are you or someone you know making waves in the engineering and technical professions? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 John G. Petty Image Award. This is your chance to honor those championing the cause of engineering through their exceptional contributions and inspiring efforts. Nominees do not have to be ESD members. Nominators must be ESD members. Nomination requirements and additional information can be found at esd.org or contact Susan Thwing at sthwing@esd.org.
52 nd ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN AWARDS
Entry Deadline: February 27, 2026
ESD’s Construction and Design Awards honor the three primary members of the building team—owners, designers, and constructors—and recognize outstanding team achievement and innovative use of technology. At least one of the primary members of the project team must be an ESD member. For more information, visit esd.org or contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
8 th ANNUAL ESD STUDENT WRITING CONTEST
Deadline: December 5, 2025
Attention college students: ESD’s writing contest is open to all Michigan university students in engineering or related fields. Top entries will be published in TechCentury’s Spring issue, and the first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Fishman Stewart, LLC. For essay topics, contest details and to obtain the application form, visit esd.org/awards/writing. Questions? Contact Susan Thwing at sthwing@esd.org.
ESD HONOR AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications Due: February 20, 2026
Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year
This award recognizes a young professional under the age of 35 who has best distinguished him/herself in the engineering and scientific communities. Criteria include education, work experience, and professional and community activities. Applicants must be members of ESD.
Outstanding College Student of the Year
This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has best distinguished him/ herself in the engineering and scientific communities. Criteria include academic background, extracurricular activities, and employment experience. The winner(s) will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Outstanding High School Student of the Year
This award recognizes a graduating high school senior. To be considered, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, plan on pursuing a career in the field of engineering or the life sciences and participate in volunteer activities. The winner(s) will receive a $2,000 scholarship.
Applications will be available in December at esd.org. For more information, contact Sue Ruffner at sruffner@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 117.
Another Summer of Learning for Students in the ESD Boys in Engineering Academy
in their
certificates
SPONSORS:
UNIVERSITY SPONSORS: IN-KIND SPONSORS:
Students
first year of the ESD Boys in Engineering Academy hold up their
of completion from the 2025 summer program. Currently, two cohorts of boys are running (sixth and seventh graders), with a new cohort of rising six graders added every year.
Students in ESD’s Boys in Engineering Academy visited DTE on a field trip as part of the summer program.
Bosch DTE Energy Sciences Lear Worthington Steel
Another Summer of Learning for Students in the ESD Girls in Engineering Academy
The 2022 Cohort (girls who started as sixth graders in 2022) went to Ford on one of their industry field trips.
The 2022 Cohort—one of seven cohorts of girls this year—at Eastern Michigan University, studying biology.
The 2023 Cohort visited Hazen & Sawyer on one of their field trips, where they participated in fun activities.
One highlight of the program was an overnight field trip to visit Eli Lilly headquarters in Indiana for the recent GEA graduates, the high school seniors, and the sophomores.
In the program, students get a view into what working engineers do as part of their jobs.
SPONSORS:
UNIVERSITY SPONSORS:
IN-KIND SPONSORS:
The 2021 Cohort of girls had the chance to experience Oakland University as part of their summer program. Over seven years, girls stay for one month each summer on a university campus. On Fridays, they take industry tours.
ESD Executive Director Robert Magee (left) and GEA Program Director Dr. Gerald Thompkins congratulated the students.
At the closing ceremony for the summer program, held at University of Detroit Mercy, students show off their work.
BorgWarner
Consumers Energy DENSO Ford
Hazen and Sawyer
Lear
Michigan Department of Transportation
Plante Moran
Urban Science
Worthington Steel
Girls in Engineering Academy Graduates Second Cohort of Students
Congratulations to the second Girls in Engineering Academy (GEA) cohort—students who began their journey in 2018 and graduated this spring after seven years of growth and exploration in STEM. A special ceremony on May 18 honored their accomplishments. These remarkable young women are continuing their education at top institutions and exploring diverse fields of study:
Alyssa – University of Michigan, Public Policy
Arielle – Wayne State University, Civil Engineering
Brooklyn – University of Michigan, Architecture
Brooklynn – University of Michigan, Physics
Isabella – Purdue University (Indiana), Biochemistry
Jenesis – Continuing at Birmingham High School in a 13th year program, pursuing Design
Jessica – University of Michigan, Biochemistry
Layla Nichole – Continuing at West Bloomfield High School in a 13th year program, pursuing Aviation Engineering
Ruth – Michigan State University, Biology/Pre-Med
Sekai – Bowling Green State University (Ohio), Physical Therapy
Yamillys – Morgan State University (Maryland), Marketing
GEA provides multi-year STEM education and mentorship to inspire girls to pursue engineering and other technical careers. This graduating class reflects the program’s mission—empowering young women to succeed in college and beyond.
GEA Students attending the graduation ceremony in May.
Program Director Dr. Gerald Thompkins (left) presenting graduation plaques to the students.
Inside the ESD Affiliate Council: The Quiet Force Behind a Stronger Engineering Community
Have you ever wondered who brings Michigan’s engineering minds together—across disciplines, generations, and industries?
Who helps make sure that an environmental engineer and a software developer might find themselves working side-by-side to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers? Welcome to the Affiliate Council of The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD)—a powerhouse of collaboration that most people don’t see, but every Michigan engineer benefits from.
Made up of representatives from more than 90 engineering, scientific, and technical societies, the Affiliate Council does more than hold meetings. It fuels a thriving ecosystem of professional development, public outreach, and recognition programs designed to lift up engineers at every stage of their careers.
Connecting the Dots Across Disciplines
At its core, the Affiliate Council is about connection. Whether you’re in aerospace or civil engineering, robotics or biomed, the Council helps you find your people. That happens through joint events, volunteer opportunities, or technical sessions that blend insights from multiple fields.
“The ESD Affiliate Council uniquely brings together not only people, but ideas,” said Janice Means, PE, LEED AP, FESD, FASHRAE, Professor Emerita at Lawrence Technological University. “At a time when our society, schools—and even professional societies—separate us by discipline, the ESD AC brings us—and our ideas—together. What is the value in this? It sparks creativity and invention.”
That same spirit fuels ESD’s efforts to support youth STEM education. Council members regularly serve as mentors and judges for initiatives like the Future City Competition, helping thousands of students see themselves in science and engineering roles.
Recognition Where It’s Due
Think awards don’t matter? Think again. Each year, the Affiliate Council leads one of ESD’s most meaningful traditions: the Affiliate Council’s Gold Award. Chosen by their peers, these honorees represent the best in engineering excellence, service, and leadership. It’s not about flashy titles—it’s about real, sustained impact.
Council members are also instrumental in recognizing the volunteers, innovators, and educators who keep Michigan’s engineering legacy alive. From early-career standouts to long-serving professionals, these moments of recognition help fuel careers and inspire communities.
Means points to the example of the late Stanford Ovshinsky, a celebrated ESD Fellow, as proof of how far multidisciplinary exploration can take someone. “Our ESD Fellow, the late Stanford Ovshinsky, demonstrated the value of cross-disciplinary exploration. Not educated in a single discipline (he only had a high school education), he educated himself by reading in a variety of disparate topics. His ideas—and subsequent multiple inventions and patents—were birthed by his diverse readings,” she said.
“For example, Ovshinsky noted that the human brain was not crystalline, but still able to transmit electrical signals. So he hypothesized that amorphous, disorganized materials could also transmit electrical signals. He went on to develop a whole new material science field with an abundance of inventions earning him about 400 patents.”
Want to Get Involved?
Whether you’re a practicing engineer, a student, or part of a technical society looking to make a bigger impact, the Affiliate Council is your entry point to something bigger. Want to mentor a student team? Nominate someone for a Gold Award? Sit on a panel with fellow professionals from across the state? This is where you start. And here’s the best part: You don’t have to do it alone. Through the Affiliate Council, you’re stepping into a network of people who care just as much as you do about innovation, education, and engineering’s future in Michigan.
So now you know. That quiet but powerful force behind the scenes? It’s the ESD Affiliate Council. And they’d love for you to join them. Simply contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
The ESD Affiliate Council holds its annual Christmas in July donation drive. From left are Jack Stein, Donald & Becky Edwards, Santa Steve Leggett, Bill Krzisnik, Dave Cottrill, and Elana Shelef.
ESD Hits the Greens!
Thank you to all those who supported ESD’s 14th annual Golf Outing on June 2, 2025 at Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton, held in memory of David A. Skiven, a strong supporter of ESD’s mission to encourage the next generation of engineers in Michigan.
Proceeds from this event fund scholarships for high school and college students, as well as student outreach efforts. Those include the Future City program for middle school students and our two ESD Engineering Academies for girls and boys. Additionally, funds help ESD Student Chapters at 14 Michigan universities
The team Iafrate Construction took top place on the Honors Course, with OCC Systems coming in second. On the Championship (Champs) Course, Team 1 from Tri-Tec LLC placed at the top, with Dearborn Mid-West Company in second place. Congratulations to all!
The Closest-to-the-Pin winners were Gerry DiGiobanni from Midwest Steel and Brittany Fiema from SmithGroup on Honors and to Rob Walkerdine from FATA Automation on Champs. Longest Drive prizes went to Jason Cooper from IMEG Corp. and Heidi Phannes from Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. on Honors and to Hussein Elhage from Gala & Associates, Inc. on Champs. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Mike LeBlanc from Midwest Steel.
Visit esd.org/golf to see all the photos from the outing!
The foursome from platinum sponsor Iafrate Construction won first place on the Honors Course.
Presenting sponsor Walbridge sent two foursomes to the outing.
Thank you to all those who supported ESD’s programs by joining us for a fun day of networking and golf. Above: BOLDT’s foursome.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 GOLF SPON SORS!
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
DIAMOND SPONSORS:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
GOLD SPONSORS:
ACS, Michigan
SILVER SPONSORS:
Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Aristeo Construction
Black & Veatch Corporation
Burns and McDonnell
Commercial
Contracting Corporation
Enercon
Gala & Associates
Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc.
IMEG Corp.
Ruby + Associates, Inc.
Sorensen Gross Construction Services
Tandem Engineering Group
PRINTING SPONSOR:
ESD’s Heather Lilley (left) with Keith Skiven and his daughter Eliana, who volunteered at the event held yearly in memory of her grandfather, David Skiven.
Robert Magee (left) and Closest-to-the-Pin winner Gerry DiGiobanni.
A big part of the fun of the outing is the networking afterwards.
Sixth Graders Thrive in Building a Future City
BY SUSAN THWING
Leon Hayes Intermediate School in Grand Ledge, Michigan, took on a big challenge this school year—and turned it into something extraordinary.
For the first time, all 360 sixth-grade students at the school participated in the Michigan Regional Competition of Future City, the city planning and engineering competition sponsored in Michigan by The Engineering Society of Detroit. The national, project-based engineering program asks students to imagine, design, and build a city of the future.
Sixth-grade teacher Travis Ward said the entire sixthgrade class dove headfirst into the ambitious challenge.
“So our principal was a teacher in Florida before he became a principal up here,” Ward said. “He participated in Future City there, and one day we were just talking about project-based learning—how impactful it could be. He told me about this competition, and as soon as he explained it, I knew we had to do it.”
Ward and his fellow educators began planning during the previous school year. With the principal’s enthusiastic support, they launched “Future City Fridays” across the sixth grade, starting the very first day of school.
On these dedicated Fridays, all academic subjects— math, language arts, social studies, science, and electives—
Teams envisioned how their cities of the future would be powered and modeled it in their cities.
Presenters from one of the three teams from Leon W. Hayes Intermediate School.
centered on aspects of city planning, engineering, and civic design.
“If we were working on city scale and proportions, we’d do that in math,” Ward explained. “Writing the city narrative happened in ELA. In science and social studies, we’d explore infrastructure, sustainability, and how cities actually work. Everything connected.”
The sixth-grade teaching team is organized into pods of four—one teacher per core subject—so each pod of students formed 12 teams of 10. Across the grade, that resulted in 36 teams, each creating their own unique city.
Students selected their teams through a self-assessment exercise led by Ward.
“I asked them to rate their interest in the project: a 1 if they didn’t want anything to do with it, a 2 if they were curious but unsure, and a 3 if they were all in and ready to win. Then I let them pick their teams, with the caveat that I’d step in if needed,” he said.
Each team developed a distinct vision of the future. One team created a city focused on sustainability and safety—
The Leon W. Hayes Intermediate School’s Na Hoku Kai team presents to the judges during the Future City Competition.
The Na Hoku Kai team’s city model, created from recycled materials.
The El Futuro team, shown presenting to the judges, won an award for innovative sustainability at the competition.
A detail from the El Futuro team’s city model, which students construct with found or recycled objects.
called El Futuro—set in a water-based environment using clean energy and secure infrastructure.
“Mostly our city was about a city that could be safe for the planet and use mostly recycling and electric stuff,” said student Jackson Degg who worked on a city called El Futuro. “And security, because it’s in the water.”
Another team focused on community belonging and accessibility. “Ours was more about making sure everyone feels safe and like they belong,” said Olivia Erspamer. Their city, Nahuku, utilized hydropower and wind turbines to power infrastructure and emphasized social design as much as physical systems.
Teams designated roles such as builders, researchers, essay writers, leaders, and organizers. “We had like specific jobs for building,” said Erspamer. “One of us would build this part, another would be in charge of the hot glue gun. . .
we’d split it into chunks and then combine it all together.”
The logistical challenges were real. “We knew it would be chaos—where would we store 36 cities? My classroom looked like a crafting tornado hit it,” Ward said with a laugh. “But we learned to live within the chaos. The process was what mattered.”
From the 36 initial teams, teachers narrowed the pool down to 10 in November. Then a panel of judges—including engineers, city officials, and educators—further narrowed it to three finalist teams. These finalists worked after school to fine-tune their models and presentations for the regional competition.
Despite being new to the program, and the youngest students competing, Leon Hayes teams placed impressively, with multiple teams landing in the top 10.
“El Futuro placed seventh or eighth overall,” Ward said.
The Na Hoku Kai team placed fourth at the Future City Competition. From left: ESD Executive Director Robert Magee, teacher Travis Ward, the four girls on the team, teacher Grant Householder, emcee Matt Roush, and ESD President Robert Richard.
The Riverstone City team was one of three teams competing from Leon W. Hayes Intermediate School.
A detail of the Rivertstone City model, illustrating food sourcing and transportation for their city.
“Just being able to compete and hold their own against experienced seventh and eighth graders was incredible.”
The experience gave students new insight into how cities function—and how much collaboration is required to bring a vision to life.
“We know now what’s happening behind the scenes, not just what’s on the surface,” said Degg. “It’s like making a movie—you’re the producer. And then when you walk around your own city, it’s like watching your movie come to life.”
Teams worked through technical setbacks, revised designs, and learned to communicate better.
“At first, we were talking over each other,” said Clara Van Hoesen. “So we made a rule where we used a talking stick. Only the person with the stick could talk. It helped us listen better.”
Ward said watching students take ownership of their learning was the most rewarding part. “The whole process mirrors the engineering design process—trying things, realizing they don’t work, going back, starting again. It was a huge challenge for teachers, too. We had to pivot our classroom plans constantly, but it was worth it.”
Beyond the awards and models, Ward believes Future City gave his students a lasting perspective. “They researched the city they live in, they asked questions about their surroundings, and now they understand the systems
behind what they see every day,” he said.
Next year, the school plans to continue the program and build on what it has learned.
“There were things we tried that didn’t work, but that’s part of the journey,” Ward said. “It was new for everyone, and yet the kids just blew us away.”
Erspamer summed it up best: “It was really cool. You don’t think about what goes into making a city. But once you build one, you see things differently. You feel like, ‘I made this.’”
CONGRATULATIONS
Farbman Group
TO KARYN STICKEL ON HER INDUCTION TO THE ESD COLLEGE OF FELLOWS
Full Service Real Estate Solutions
• BROKERAGE
Karyn is an accomplished professional and a shining example of effective leadership in action in the engineering field. We are proud of all that she has achieved as part of our team over the past 25 years.
• PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
• MEDICAL REAL ESTATE
• CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
• RECEIVERSHIPS/REPOSITIONING
The Riverstone City team accepting a special award for engineering excellence.
EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH
DTE supports organizations in Detroit and across Michigan that inspire youth to pursue careers in STEM. Together, we promote initiatives that help our communities thrive.
ESD CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENT
The Engineering Society of Detroit’s Annual Dinner was held on June 24, 2025, at Laurel Manor in Livonia. The focus of the evening was on the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award recipient: Joseph A. Aristeo, PE, President Emeritus, Aristeo Construction. The 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award was given posthumously to ESD Past President Douglas E. Patton, who passed away earlier
in the year. His family graciously accepted the award.
The 51st ESD Construction and Design Awards were given to five projects, with two projects receiving honorable mentions. They are listed on the following pages, along with the rest of the evening’s awardees. Congratulations to all of them—and thank you to those who supported the event with your attendance and sponsorship.
ESD Executive Director Robert Magee (far left) and ESD President Bob Richard (far right) present a 2025 ESD Construction and Design Award to representatives from DDOT/DBA, NORR/DLZ Michigan Inc., and Ideal Contracting for the Jason Hargrove Transit Center project.
Joe Aristeo speaks to those gathered at the 2025 ESD Annual Dinner before accepting the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award.
Rackham Humanitarian
Joseph A. Aristeo, PE
Joseph (Joe) A. Aristeo, PE, exemplifies the Rackham Award’s ideals—visionary leadership rooted in service, built on compassion, and sustained by integrity. His story inspires because it embodies the American Dream. The eldest son of Italian immigrants and a first-generation college graduate from the University of Michigan, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and his Professional Engineer (PE) license. In Detroit, he learned that success required hustle, discipline, and purpose—qualities that defined both his career and character.
In 1977, his father asked his sons to start a family excavating and concrete business with $10,000 and a truck to their name. They worked together for three months before his father passed unexpectedly. At age 26, Joe became responsible for both his family and the few employees they had brought into the business. Through grit, sacrifice, and mentorship from Ford Motor Company engineers and others, Joe not only preserved the business, he transformed it. Under Joe’s four decades of leadership, Aristeo Construction grew into one of Michigan’s largest general contractors and the nation’s top five in the automotive and top ten in manufacturing. He led Aristeo as President for 41 years and now serves as President Emeritus. He credits his long-standing success to the support of family, mentors, and especially his wife of 51 years, Judy.
Throughout his career and retirement, Joe has consistently served his community. What sets him apart is his hands-on activism—beyond the board room, he is in the field, working through drawings, and resolves issues quickly. He is a problem solver, and is always willing to lend his engineering skills and construction expertise. When he sees a need to drive more impact, he jumps in to help in any way possible. A colleague remarked, “Every organization needs a Joe—someone who understands and gets to the heart of issues quickly, sets the pace, and gets things done.”
For many years Joe focused his efforts on industry education and workforce development. Aristeo places the utmost value on the exceptional talent of over 500 skilled tradespeople representing multiple generations of Aristeo families across six union crafts. As President, Joe advocated for the causes that meant the most to his team, which is why he served as a Management Trustee for Operating Engineers Local 324 from 2001 to 2012. He managed the pension fund for thousands of operators, and helped enact shifts in the viability of that pension fund during a time of economic recession.
Joe was involved at his alma mater as a board member of the University of Michigan Civil and Environmental Engineering Friends Association (CEEFA). He met with students, reviewed resumes of civil engineering students, and conducted mock interviews. He was active for many years sponsoring scholarships for Civil Engineering students through the Pelham Scholars Program. On the 50th anniversary of his own graduation, he was honored to be the distinguished alumni handing students diplomas at the 2024 Civil Engineering convocation.
At the regional level, Joe has also served as a United Way for Southeastern Michigan cabinet member for numerous cycles, acting as a major donor and raising funds and volunteer campaigns for local community initiatives. As a long time city resident and Aristeo’s headquarters established in Livonia for over four decades, Joe was involved civically as an advisor to the City of Livonia on the city’s growing construction project volume —helping local leaders understand what required specifications, and appropriately purchasing construction services, which saved taxpayer resources. He also helped run two Livonia bond issues to finance critically needed athletic facilities.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Joe’s daughters were both competitive swimmers for a swim team experiencing financial difficulty, so he assumed leadership of its operations, and led the club through a turnaround to make it possible for its athletes to remain with existing facilities and coaching staff. Through this role, he ultimately became the President of Michigan Swimming, the state committee affiliated with United States Swimming—the sport’s national governing body for over 400,000 athletes.
After a successful transition of the business to the next generation leadership team in 2018, Joe’s focus on community service has accelerated in “retirement”. As
Joe Aristeo (right) and ESD President Bob Richard
RACKHAM HUMANITARIAN, CONTINUED.
a graduate of Cody High School, Joe wanted to get more involved in Detroit-based education initiatives. In 2012, Joe became a Trustee of The Thompson Foundation, the family that funded and created a school system with the Detroit 90/90 Promise--the pledge of 90% of students graduating, with a 90% post-secondary admission rate. Joe became the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Public School Academies of Detroit, which serves 4,500 students through a not-for-profit charter school model—eight schools under the University Prep Schools umbrella. He’s served in this role to provide leadership, facility knowledge and financial stewardship and support local families.
Related to construction, at Meadowbrook Country Club, Joe led the volunteer Construction Committee in the 30-month renovation of grounds to create an award-winning new course. The American Society of Golf Course Architects recognized Meadowbrook in the Design Excellence Recognition Program, one of 11 courses across the Americas to receive the honor at the time. Joe also oversaw the design and four-year renovation of the clubhouse & Golf Performance Center. He has also volunteered his time, expertise and financial support to correct a long standing flooding problem that has impaired All Saints Catholic School.
ESD ANNUAL DINNER AWARD RECIPIENTS
Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award
Joseph A. Aristeo, PE, President Emeritus, Aristeo Construction
Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumous)
Douglas E. Patton, FESD
College of Fellows Inductees
Paul C. Ajegba, PE, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
Jennifer E. Bowyer, PE, Area Manager, Tetra Tech
Danny Cline, Lead Project Engineer/Customer Applications Engineer, ZF Group
Partners of the Year
Bosch (Corporate Partner)
University of Detroit Mercy (University Partner)
Suburban Collection Showplace (Venue Partner)
John G. Petty Image Award
John Sarver
Distinguished Service Awards
David L. Head, Founder/President, David L. Head Foundation
Jack A. Stein, Systems Engineer, Retired
ESD Construction & Design Awards
Ford Michigan Central Station
Owner: Ford Motor Company
Designer: Quinn Evans Architects
Contractor: Christman/Brinker Corktown
Transformation Joint Venture
Michigan DNR Newberry Customer Service Center
Owner: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Designer: Lord Aeck Sargent
Contractor: Walbridge
H-STEM Health Technologies Complex
Owner: Michigan Technological University
Designer: HED
Contractor: Granger Construction Company
Wayne State University M. Roy Wilson
State Hall Renovation
Owner: Wayne State University
Designer: SmithGroup
Contractor: The Christman Company
Jason Hargrove Transit Center
Owner: DDOT/DBA
Designer: NORR/DLZ Michigan Inc
Contractor: Ideal Contracting
ESD Construction & Design Honorable Mentions
Oakland University South Foundation Hall
Renovation and Addition
Owner: Oakland University
Designer: Stantec Architecture Inc.
Contractor: Frank Rewold and Sons
Northern Michigan University Jacobetti Complex
Owner: Northern Michigan University
Designer: Neumann/Smith Architecture
Contractor: Miron Construction Co., Inc.
Suzanne Patton (holding the award above) accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband, Douglas E. Patton. Family members joined her on the stage, with ESD President Robert Richard (far left), emcee Gary Mach (second from left), and ESD Board Member Sergio Pujols from Denso (far right).
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
ESD’s newest Fellows, from left: Karyn Stickel, PE; Paul C. Ajegba, PE; and Jennifer E. Boyer, PE.
Nicole Pollard takes a photo of the award presentations.
2025 JOHN G. PETTY IMAGE AWARD HONOREE
JOHN SARVER Educator and Champion of Renewable Energy
For nearly five decades, John Sarver has been a tireless force in shaping Michigan’s clean energy landscape—an advocate whose work spans policy, education, and grassroots outreach. In 2025, The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) recognized Sarver’s exceptional contributions by naming him the recipient of the prestigious John G. Petty Image Award, honoring not only his technical leadership but also his integrity, communication, and unwavering public service.
Sarver’s journey into the world of energy wasn’t a carefully mapped career plan—it was, in his own words, a “lucky accident.” After earning a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan, he took a position in state government and joined the newly established Michigan Energy Office in 1976. At the time, the nation was grappling with the aftermath of the oil embargo, and the push for conservation and efficiency had just begun.
“I didn’t think I was starting a lifelong career,” Sarver said. “But once I was there, I found the work fascinating. The issues were always changing, and the people I worked with were smart, passionate, and deeply committed.”
Sarver began as an administrative assistant, but as the Energy Office grew, so did his responsibilities. Over his 35-year tenure, he evolved into a key policy leader, directing statewide programs that supported wind, solar, and building energy efficiency. Perhaps most notably, Sarver administered a $50 million grant program that provided critical
funding for schools, hospitals, and public institutions to install efficient systems—everything from windows and insulation to boilers and control systems.
“It was satisfying,” he said. “We were saving energy, helping the environment, and allowing public institutions to direct more resources to their core missions.”
That mix of pragmatism and passion has defined Sarver’s approach. While many first came to renewables out of concern for the environment, he has always emphasized their economic benefits.
“It’s not an either-or. People feel good about helping the planet—but they also like knowing it’s a smart investment,” he said.
That balance helped Sarver succeed when he shifted his focus in the 1990s to renewable energy, particularly solar and wind. He played a pivotal role in Michigan’s early large-scale clean energy efforts, helping to fund the state’s first commercial wind turbine in Traverse City in 1996 and seeding dozens of early solar demonstrations across the state.
“Back then, 10 kilowatts felt like a big deal,” he said. “Now we’re building 10-megawatt systems.”
Beyond his government work, Sarver has left an indelible mark through his leadership at the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA). After retiring from the State of Michigan in 2010, he was quickly recruited as GLREA’s Executive Director, later serving as Board President and now as its Education Chair. In that role, Sarver has become a beloved teacher, tirelessly educating the public and professionals alike on
solar, wind, geothermal, and energy policy.
Since 2020, he has hosted a weekly online webinar series, freely available on YouTube, that brings together experts and everyday citizens to explore clean energy topics. Sarver organizes every detail—finding speakers, moderating discussions, and ensuring accessibility. From solar homeowners sharing their journeys to business leaders discussing policy, the sessions offer a unique grassroots platform to build understanding.
“He performs this task as a volunteer,” noted a colleague in nominating Sarver for the Petty Image Award. “And he does it with passion, clarity, and humility.”
Sarver also served as the voice behind Energy Tidbits and later Great Lakes Energy News, monthly newsletters he edited for 30 years. These publications synthesized developments from Michigan and around the world, keeping thousands of readers informed on evolving technologies, regulatory updates, and policy shifts. Though he recently retired from the role,
GLREA continues the newsletter in his tradition.
His impact hasn’t been limited to writing or webinars. Sarver has helped spread successful local models across the state—most recently working with Ann Arbor’s Solarize program, a group-buy and education effort that helps residents go solar more affordably. He’s also active in his own community of Meridian Township, bringing people together to learn and take action.
In the policy realm, Sarver remains deeply involved in GLREA’s advocacy efforts, pushing for legislation to support community solar and representing clean energy interests in cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he said. “Whether it’s about solar working in Michigan’s cloudy climate or wild myths about wind power. Part of my job is to set the record straight.”
Throughout it all, Sarver’s north star has remained education— bringing people together to share knowledge and, ultimately, to act.
Looking back, he sees his early efficiency programs and later renewable advocacy as bookends of a career that’s been both practical and visionary.
“I was just lucky,” he said. “I got to work on important issues, with good people, in a field that really matters.”
It’s that grounded sense of service— combined with deep knowledge and a commitment to helping others— that made John Sarver such a fitting recipient of the 2025 John G. Petty Image Award. In honoring him, The Engineering Society of Detroit recognizes not only a lifetime of technical achievement but a model of public-minded leadership.
As Michigan’s clean energy future continues to unfold, it does so on the foundation Sarver helped build— quietly, consistently, and always with a deep belief in the power of people, policy, and perseverance.
THIRTEEN $2,000 MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
Each year ESD awards scholarships for outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement to graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in engineering or the life sciences and to undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves in the engineering or sciences community. Applications are accepted starting in December and are due in February each year. For more on the program, contact Sue Ruffner at sruffner@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 117.
2024 OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE YEAR:
2024
OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE YEAR:
Alanna Dedenbach Lawrence Technological University
Pranav Deshmukh Michigan State University
Janelle Gnoumou University of Waterloo
Lilyan Toma Wayne State University
Uma Ludwig Center Line High School
Sanjith Sambath International Academy Okma, Bloomfield Twp
Autumn Walker Renaissance High School, Detroit
Keturah West Cass Technical High School, Detroit
Hao Do
Paul K. Cousino High School, Warren
Chelsea Durfield North Farmington High School
Brady Jensenius Portage Central High School
Jillian Jones Renaissance High School, Detroit
Olivia Medler Elk Rapids High School
Scholarship Recipient Profile: Uma Ludwig
Nine outstanding high school students received a $2,000 scholarship from ESD in 2025. All impressed the judges with their achievements—here’s a closer look at one of them.
A Scholar with Exceptional Drive
Center Line High School valedictorian Uma
Ludwig graduated this spring with a 4.5 GPA and a résumé that showed both intellectual curiosity and perseverance. Triple-enrolled in Center Line High School, the Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center (MMSTC), and Macomb Community College, she completed nine Advanced Placement courses and earned 14 college credits. At MMSTC she carried out semester-long research projects each year, ranging from studying the effect of seed scarification on germination to testing toothpaste effectiveness, designing water wheels to measure electrical output, and analyzing alkaline materials to counter ocean acidification.
Leadership and Service in Scouting
Ludwig earned the top awards in both Girl Scouts and Scouting America. She achieved the Girl Scout Gold Award for a project educating the community and creating reminders to reduce pollution. As an Eagle Scout, she built a greenhouse for Cadillac Urban Gardens, a Detroit nonprofit that provides free fresh produce, a project honored as Sunrise District Eagle Scout Project of the Year. Along the way she accumulated more than 100 merit badges, about 15 Eagle Palms, and recognition such as the National Outdoor Achievement Award and World Conservation Award. She served as Senior Patrol Leader and on National Youth Leadership Training staff, guiding younger scouts through hands-on leadership development.
Active in School and Community
At school, Ludwig’s quiet but steady leadership stood out. She played volleyball for four years and captained the varsity team for two, served on Student Council and in the National Honor Society, and mentored freshmen as part of Link Crew. She wrote and presented a bill mandating community gardens in Michigan Youth in Government’s student-run legislature and was selected for the competitive Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars program. Her commitment to service included nearly 600 hours
of volunteering—from food banks and churches to schools and parks—earning both the Young Adult and Teen Gold Presidential Service Awards.
Michigan Tech and Beyond
Today Ludwig is a first-year student at Michigan Technological University, where she is majoring in environmental engineering and conducting research at the university’s Great Lakes Research Center. She is exploring ways to monitor and reduce PFAS contamination and is excited to turn her passion for science and service into real-world solutions to protect the region’s freshwater resources.
Quietly confident, relentlessly curious, and dedicated to making a difference, Uma Ludwig exemplifies the next generation of engineers who combine scientific skill with community-minded leadership.
To support our scholarship program for students like Uma, visit esd.org/give.
ESD CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN AWARDS
n its 51st year, the ESD Construction & Design Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the projects—and the people—that shape Michigan’s future. From modern mobility solutions to skillful historic preservation, this year’s winning entries represent the power of collaboration, innovation, and engineering excellence.
What sets these awards apart? They honor the full building team: the owners, designers, and constructors, recognizing that great projects happen when everyone
works together. Evaluated by a diverse panel of experts, the winners exemplify what’s possible when creativity meets cutting-edge technology and shared vision.
Since 1974, these awards have celebrated the best in construction and design across the state. Today, more than five decades later, they remain one of Michigan’s top honors in the industry, highlighting teamwork, quality, sustainability, and standout engineering solutions.
Let’s meet the 2025 winners and the stories behind their award-winning work…
REVIVING A DETROIT ICON: THE TRANSFORMATION OF MICHIGAN CENTRAL STATION
Few buildings embody Detroit’s storied past, turbulent present, and ambitious future quite like Michigan Central Station. Originally completed in 1913 and once the tallest railway station in the world, this grand BeauxArts structure stood for decades as both a proud symbol of Detroit’s industrial might and, later, as a haunting reminder of its decline. Now, thanks to a visionary transformation led by Ford Motor Company, the station has been reborn as the centerpiece of a cutting-edge mobility innovation district—one that honors the past while boldly embracing the future.
Ford acquired the long-abandoned station in 2018 to establish a new tech hub in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. With architectural partner Quinn Evans and the Christman-Brinker Corktown Transformation Joint Venture as construction manager, the team undertook a massive rehabilitation of the 650,000-squarefoot building. The effort was daunting: Michigan Central had been vacant since the 1980s, with water infiltration, structural degradation, and extensive looting having taken a heavy toll.
The initial priority was stabilization: removing 2.5 million gallons of standing water, reinforcing damaged floors, and protecting workers from unsafe conditions. Crews operated under pandemic restrictions beginning in spring 2020, yet advanced steadily. As one of Detroit’s most beloved and visible landmarks, the restoration had to meet both high preservation standards and public expectations. Where possible, original materials, such as limestone façades and interior wainscoting, were meticulously restored. Where replacement was necessary, the team used historically accurate materials or modern alternatives that matched original designs in performance and appearance.
Recognizing the scale and complexity of the job, the team expanded the original six bid packages into more than 28, engaging over 100 trade contractors. This not only helped maintain schedule and scope but also opened opportunities for Detroit-based and minorityowned firms to participate. Specialized artisans tackled
everything from Guastavino tile restoration to iron window replication, often blending historic techniques with modern tools.
Beyond aesthetics and preservation, the renovation was driven by sustainability. Ford and its partners integrated advanced building systems to maximize energy efficiency, including high-efficiency hot water systems and air handling units equipped with passive desiccant systems. Stormwater is now collected in three massive underground tanks and reused on-site, reducing strain on aging city infrastructure. Importantly, the station is powered entirely by renewable electricity, and reusing the structure itself saved an estimated 16,000+ metric tons of embodied carbon.
The revitalized station—unveiled in June 2024—will serve as a collaborative space for mobility innovation, including research and development in electric and autonomous vehicles. It also includes retail, office, and public spaces, ensuring it remains a vibrant, accessible community anchor.
Michigan Central’s transformation is a landmark achievement in architecture, engineering, and construction management. But more than that, it is a cultural and civic triumph. It proves what’s possible when bold vision meets expert execution—and when a city dares to honor its heritage while building a future worthy of its legacy. As Detroit continues its resurgence, Michigan Central Station stands once again as its proud and powerful gateway.
Michigan DNR Newberry Customer Service Center
OWNER: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
DESIGNER: Lord Aeck Sargent
CONSTRUCTOR: Walbridge
MICHIGAN’S FIRST RED PINE MASS TIMBER FACILITY TAKES ROOT IN NEWBERRY
In a groundbreaking initiative that merges forestry innovation, sustainable construction, and public service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has unveiled a new Mass Timber Customer Service Center in Newberry, Michigan. Designed by Lord Aeck Sargent and constructed by Detroit-based Walbridge, the building is not just a functional government office; it’s a living demonstration of Michigan’s commitment to sustainability, local material use, and forward-thinking design.
Completed in early 2025, the $11.9 million facility consolidates DNR field offices and public-facing services under one roof. It includes a community meeting space to better engage residents of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. But its most significant distinction lies in the way it was built: the structure is the first in the state to use Michigan-grown red pine in mass timber construction.
The project began with a bold goal: to showcase mass timber construction using locally sourced wood. Though Michigan boasts more than 20 million acres of forest, most are hardwoods; only 25% are softwoods suitable for CLT (cross-laminated timber) products. Red pine emerged as a strong candidate, but no in-state facility could manufacture CLT panels. Walbridge, working with Biewer Lumber in McBain, Michigan, and Vaagen Timbers in Washington state, developed a custom quality control process and secured ANSI certification for the material. The result: the first-ever mass timber building using Michigan red pine.
The use of CLT and glulam beams dramatically reduced the project’s embodied carbon. Prefabricated panels meant faster construction, with the entire timber structure erected in just 13 days. In addition to eliminating the need for steel framing and most concrete, the exposed timber interior also removed the need for drywall and finishes, delivering both aesthetic and cost savings.
Despite post-COVID challenges, including labor shortages and rising materials costs, the project finished under budget and on schedule thanks to detailed planning, weekly coordination meetings, and collaborative value engineering. With more than 34,000
hours worked and zero injuries, the project’s safety record was equally exemplary.
Sustainability wasn’t limited to the structure. The design incorporated high-performance insulation, LED lighting, daylighting strategies, and thermally modified wood siding. A solar array scheduled for installation in fall 2025 will further reduce the facility’s energy footprint. The DNR also chose a previously disturbed site for the center, reducing new environmental impact while consolidating operations for efficiency and lower emissions.
Beyond its green credentials, the project serves a broader mission: economic and educational outreach. The DNR has received numerous inquiries about the facility, and the structure has already become a model for future mass timber use across the state. The building’s exposed structure and community space invite visitors to learn about Michigan’s forests, renewable resources, and sustainable design.
In partnership with experts in timber construction, the Newberry facility proves that mass timber is not just a niche solution—it’s a viable, scalable, and beautiful path forward. By tying together Michigan’s rich forestry heritage and future-facing construction techniques, this project establishes a blueprint for sustainable public infrastructure in the Great Lakes region and beyond.
H-STEM Health Technologies Complex
OWNER: Michigan Technological University
DESIGNER: HED
CONSTRUCTOR: Granger Construction Company
MICHIGAN TECH’S H-STEM COMPLEX REDEFINES
INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATION
The H-STEM Complex at Michigan Technological University marks a transformative milestone—both for the university and for health sciences and engineering education across the Midwest. As MTU’s first intercollege research institute, the 63,000-square-foot facility is designed to unite faculty, researchers, and students from diverse fields including biomedical engineering, biology, chemistry, kinesiology, and integrated physiology. The mission: to tackle complex health-related challenges collaboratively and advance innovation across disciplines.
Completed in early 2024, the $53.1 million facility was designed by HED and constructed by Granger Construction. At the heart of the H-STEM Complex is flexibility—lab spaces, faculty offices, and student collaboration areas are designed in modular zones, allowing programs to evolve as research needs change. Glass-walled teaching and research labs create an environment of transparency and visibility, aligning with the university’s goal of putting “research on display.” The space houses Michigan Tech’s Health Research Institute (HRI) and facilitates partnerships with organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, Gerber Foundation, and the American Heart Association.
Despite pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions, the project stayed on schedule and within its $42.6 million construction cost. Strategic planning enabled solutions such as temporary power sources to bridge delays in substation and generator deliveries. A major design challenge—connecting to MTU’s existing Chemical Sciences Building—was met with customized fire protection systems and electrical integration that enhance both safety and efficiency.
Environmental sustainability was a major driver throughout design and construction. Though initially postponed due to budget constraints, rooftop and wallmounted photovoltaic arrays were ultimately included and are projected to generate 8% of the building’s annual energy needs. High-performance fume hoods, radiant heating for comfort during Upper Peninsula winters, and
24/7 smart ventilation systems support the university’s push for LEED Gold certification.
Inside, standout features include a two-story human motion lab—complete with motion capture rails and acoustic/thermal solutions—and collaborative lighting fixtures designed in the shape of a caffeine molecule, a nod to student life. Lighting strategies were designed with the region’s long winters in mind, offering dimmable, usercontrolled systems that support occupant well-being.
Beyond its walls, the H-STEM Complex is reshaping Michigan Tech’s role in STEM education and research. It serves as a new front door for innovation on campus, showcasing MTU’s capabilities to prospective students, faculty, and industry partners alike. And as a research hub for rural healthcare and biomedical advancements, it’s also poised to have a lasting impact throughout the Upper Peninsula and across Michigan.
Wayne State University M. Roy Wilson State Hall Renovation
OWNER: Wayne State University
DESIGNER: SmithGroup
CONSTRUCTOR: The Christman Company
WILSON STATE HALL RENOVATION: BRIDGING PAST AND FUTURE
AT WAYNE STATE
Wayne State University’s M. Roy Wilson State Hall has undergone a transformative $85 million renovation, evolving from its mid-century roots into a forwardthinking, high-performance learning environment. Originally constructed in 1948 as the university’s first dedicated classroom building, State Hall was designed by campus architect Suren Pilafian and later joined by iconic buildings from Minoru Yamasaki, forming a cohesive architectural legacy along Cass Avenue. Today, State Hall remains one of the most utilized academic buildings on campus, and this renovation ensures it will continue serving students and faculty for generations to come.
The extensive renovation, led by SmithGroup and construction partner Christman, respected the original structure while modernizing the building’s function and form. The design exposes and celebrates the building’s existing concrete structure, bringing an “honest aesthetic” to the interiors. Polished concrete floors retain the shadow of previous layouts, complemented by warm materials such as exposed-edge birch plywood and acoustic wood walls. These design choices not only reflect a sensitivity to the building’s past but also create a more comfortable, human-centered environment.
Major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were fully replaced, and the building’s envelope— including roofing, windows, and exterior cladding—was significantly upgraded for improved energy performance. The new high-performance curtain wall on the east façade mirrors the original module but adds depth, shadow, and modern detailing using bronze-anodized metal, visually tying State Hall to adjacent Prentis Hall.
Sustainability was a core driver throughout the project, with systems designed to achieve LEED Gold certification. State Hall is now projected to use 33% less energy, with advanced HVAC systems including variable air volume units, economizers for “free cooling,” and perimeter heating that allows unoccupied cycling. A “run-around” energy recovery system preconditions air using exhaust heat, and CO 2 sensors in classrooms automatically adjust ventilation based on occupancy.
The construction process, completed in just 15.5 months, incorporated advanced coordination techniques, including early subcontractor engagement and realtime 3D building scans to accommodate the building’s complex existing conditions. Worker safety remained a top priority, with comprehensive COVID-19 protocols and a QR code-based health monitoring system implemented throughout the job site.
Beyond technical improvements, the renovation reinvigorates State Hall as a campus and community connector. Upgrades to both the city- and campusfacing entrances, active outdoor gathering areas, and collaborative indoor spaces make State Hall a renewed symbol of Wayne State’s commitment to accessible, urban-focused education. With its modernized learning environments and deep respect for legacy, the Wilson State Hall renovation is a model of sensitive, sustainable transformation.
Jason Hargrove Transit Center
OWNER: Detroit Department of Transportation
DESIGNER: NORR/DLZ
CONSTRUCTOR: Ideal Contracting
JASON HARGROVE TRANSIT CENTER REDEFINES
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN DETROIT
The Jason Hargrove Transit Center in Detroit is a landmark example of how historic preservation, community engagement, and modern infrastructure can come together to create a vibrant, future-ready public resource. Completed in May 2024, the 52,000-squarefoot facility is located at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds near the intersection of Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue. Once a crumbling structure, the century-old Dairy Cattle Barn has been transformed into a dynamic multimodal transit hub serving DDOT and SMART bus riders, rideshare users, MoGo bikers, and more.
The project is named in honor of Jason Hargrove, a DDOT bus driver who tragically lost his life to COVID19. His legacy now lives on through a facility designed to serve, protect, and connect Detroiters—providing access to jobs, education, healthcare, and city life.
Rather than demolish the historic structure, the project team—led by the Detroit Building Authority in partnership with Ideal Contracting, DLZ, and NORR—chose an adaptive reuse approach. Guided by strong community input, the design preserved the architectural integrity of the 1924 barn while updating it to meet the city’s evolving transportation needs. This included extensive preconstruction studies, air quality assessments, and stakeholder collaboration with DDOT drivers and staff.
The newly reimagined space includes a heated indoor lobby, gender-inclusive restrooms, administrative offices, ticketing kiosks, and a dedicated driver lounge. Outdoors, the project integrates green space and the newly created Coliseum Park, which features the preserved south portico of the former Michigan Coliseum—a nod to the fairground’s legacy. The space is designed for community use, from food trucks to educational events.
A high priority was placed on sustainability. The adaptive reuse strategy significantly reduced demolition waste and carbon emissions, while energy-efficient HVAC systems, programmable LED lighting, electric bus infrastructure, and low-water fixtures contribute to
a lower environmental footprint. Air quality monitoring was conducted throughout construction to protect the surrounding community.
Safety and execution were standout achievements. With over 109,000 total work hours and zero losttime injuries, the project team—at times including 70 tradespeople from more than 40 subcontractors— upheld exceptional safety standards. The site passed two unannounced MiOSHA inspections without a single citation.
The project was completed on schedule after an 18-month construction period and stayed within its approved $29.97 million budget, despite the impact of post-pandemic inflation. Creative problem-solving, such as replacing a deteriorated gutter system with an at-grade drainage solution, saved time and money without compromising quality.
Beyond its physical transformation, the transit center has already made a meaningful impact. It enhances Detroit’s transit network, improves rider experience, and supports local businesses—over 52% of project participants were Detroit-based. The center now functions not only as a transportation hub but as a cornerstone of community development and connectivity.
With its blend of historic preservation, technical innovation, and public service, the Jason Hargrove Transit Center is more than a building; it is a symbol of Detroit’s resilience and a bold step toward a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive future.
Oakland University South Foundation Hall Renovation and Addition
OWNER: Oakland University
DESIGNER: Stantec Architecture Inc.
CONSTRUCTOR: Frank Rewold and Sons
In June 2024, Oakland University unveiled a dramatic transformation of South Foundation Hall—one of its oldest and most iconic buildings. Backed by a $44.2 million investment, the project blends history with innovation, creating a state-of-the-art academic facility designed for next-generation learning and sustainability.
Originally opened in 1959, South Foundation Hall was the first classroom building constructed after the establishment of Oakland University. Nearly every OU student has taken a class there, making the building a symbolic and functional cornerstone of campus life.
Designed by Stantec and constructed by Frank Rewold and Sons, the project preserved the original 50,640-square-foot structure while adding a bold new 30,000-square-foot wing. The reimagined space features 47 flexible classrooms—10 of them brand-new—alongside updated lounges, collaborative zones, and technology-rich environments tailored to evolving instructional models, especially in STEM and health fields.
Natural daylight pours through large windows and interior glazing, creating inviting, energy-efficient spaces.
The university is pursuing LEED Silver certification and incorporated WELL Building Standard principles to promote air quality, wellness, and environmental responsibility. Retaining the original structure reduced the project’s carbon footprint, while connecting to the campus plant ensures efficient heating and cooling.
Although the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and market volatility, construction resumed in 2022. Value engineering and careful planning helped control costs and timelines. Safety remained a top priority, with 103,934 work hours logged, just one DART incident, and no major disruptions. Security enhancements were also integrated in response to heightened concerns across regional educational institutions.
Today, South Foundation Hall stands as a symbol of Oakland University’s commitment to academic excellence, resilience, and human-centered design. As President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz noted, “This building evokes a learning environment that transcends classrooms and inspires students to make connections among ideas, possibilities, and the trends that will shape the future.”
Northern Michigan University Jacobetti Complex
OWNER: Northern Michigan University
DESIGNER: Neumann/Smith Architecture
CONSTRUCTOR: Miron Construction Co., Inc.
Northern Michigan University (NMU) has boldly reimagined its Jacobetti Complex. Completed in August 2023, the $28 million renovation transforms the 174,000-square-foot facility into a forward-looking hub for career-technical education, workforce development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Home to NMU’s applied programs—including automotive and electrical technology, construction management, HVAC, CNC machining, and more—the Jacobetti Complex now aligns more closely with the needs of Michigan’s evolving job market and the state’s push for expanded career-technical education. In partnership with Neumann/Smith Architecture and Miron Construction, NMU created a dynamic space that integrates real-world training with cutting-edge industry infrastructure.
A standout feature is the building’s “living laboratory” concept. Instead of concealing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, the design exposes and color-codes them to mirror real-world industry standards. With integrated uplighting, the systems double as instructional tools— turning infrastructure into a hands-on teaching asset.
Flexibility and visibility were key. Enclosed classrooms and labs were opened up with new interior glazing, allowing passersby to see students in action. Spaces were resized and repositioned to better reflect current enrollment trends and emerging workforce needs, while informal study areas and collaboration zones now encourage spontaneous interaction, and peer support.
Innovation Hall, a new anchor space within the facility, serves as a multipurpose venue for student exhibitions, job fairs, law enforcement training, and industry showcases— strengthening ties between NMU and the community.
Sustainability also played a central role. The project eliminated 43,000 square feet from the original footprint to reduce energy use, added high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, and advanced controls—all contributing to more than $200,000 in annual savings. Completed on time and within budget, the project logged over 103,000 work hours with zero recordable incidents.
With strong collaboration among NMU and its project partners the Jacobetti Complex now stands as a model for workforce innovation and student-centered design.
LOOKING UP
Discovering Detroit’s Past in Its Architecture
BY HERSCHEL ROGERS
Picture Detroit. What comes to mind first?
The riverfront, the skyline, the theatres, the stadia, Woodward, Campus Martius? Something in the suburbs? Perhaps it is impossible to typify a city in a single building or image— but Detroit is Detroit, y’know?
Detroit is defined by images and its unique experience from ground level. Detroit is for cars; Detroit is blighted; Detroit is gritty. But Detroit is also astoundingly beautiful, if we (safely) cross the street and look up. And it always has been.
From a small furring post at the edge of civilization, Detroit rose to the peak of human achievement and was seen as the shining prototype of American might. It became the sullied, tattered exemplar of how not to run a large city. Two generations of Renaissance later, Detroiters still hold both histories near and dear, and I think our architectural heritage is especially inescapable.
Exactly in time with the giant steps of Ford, Leland, Dodge, you know the rest, Albert Kahn was initiating a quiet industrial revolution in design. Beginning with the Packard plant, Kahn was responsible for nearly 20% of factories in the US by the late ’30s. His association with Ford is legendary, but his services extended globally. More than factories, Kahn’s indelible mark on Detroit includes the Detroit News Building, First National Building, Cranbrook House, and the Fisher Building. Many of his designs still stand, and they’re worth looking for.
The names Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls are synonymous with Detroit architecture. Now known as SmithGroup, the firm is the oldest continuously operating architectural firm in the country and native to Detroit. Designers of too many important buildings to count, iconic Detroit edifices like the Central United Methodist Church, Detroit Opera House, the Fyfe Building, and the original Ford Piquette plant; SmithGroup has been a molder and shaper of each stage of Detroit’s evolution. It was also an historical incubator for many other prominent Detroit names, like Wirt C. Rowland, who designed the Guardian Building, Penobscot Building, and the Banker’s Trust Building for SmithGroup.
Detroit’s decades rolled onward in newer and faster models—architecturally, of course. In the 30’s, the Cranbrook Educational Community was founded to advance arts education with Finnish-born architect Eliel Saarinen as its first president.
Cranbrook nurtured some of the most influential and productive designers of the Midcentury: Eero Saarinen, one of the leaders of Modernism in the 1950s; Charles and Ray Eames, one of the most prolific design duos of the century; and Gyo Obata, founder of the firm HOK.
While not all of Cranbrook Academy of Art graduates are from or stayed in Detroit, Cranbrook is uniquely Detroit, and this legacy is carried proudly.
Beyond Cranbrook, Detroit’s influence would expand with the Modern. Saarinen the younger designed the acclaimed GM Technical Center, TWA terminal at JFK (now Terminal 5), and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Minoru Yamasaki designed many buildings around Metro Detroit, notably One Woodward Avenue, McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State, and the Reynolds Metals Regional Sales Office in Southfield. Yamasaki is probably most famously known as the designer of the World Trade Center, but he designed dozens of skyscrapers across the world. Mies Van Der Rohe’s Lafayette Park is the largest single collection of his works. SmithGroup’s excellent contribution to the Modern, 1001 Woodward, is a masterclass in the International Style.
As Detroit’s identity changed in the ’60s and ’70s, a new totem was thought to be needed for the city: The Renaissance Center. A group of buildings, but also a symbol, an experiment, and certainly a statement. Detroit’s “Renaissance” coincided in time and space with our reckoning for the past.
RenCen was developed around the same time as the GM Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly, a project with a mixed legacy. Urban renewal projects are difficult: Detroiters sought to reestablish themselves as globally important, but built on whose shoulders? Razing neighborhoods was controversial then, and it’s not so clear now that the
methods used were the most humane. Destruction is, unfortunately, a very common end to Detroit’s architectural monuments.
If we have not seen or heard of some of the following Detroit landmarks, rest assured the wrecking ball fondly remembers them: Old City Hall, the Hammond Building, the “Pontch,” Water Works Tower, and dozens of other iconic structures can now be experienced only in photographs. Detroit too often did not stand between its architectural heritage and the unstoppable wrecking ball of progress.
But that isn’t to say that all the great works of our past are relegated to the historical record: Book Tower, the Book-Cadillac, the DIA, the Masonic, Detroit Public Library (pick a branch, so many are beautiful), and the Fisher stand as survivors recounting the glory days of the Art Deco skyscraper, the Roaring Twenties, and the dominance of the American automobile on the national economy.
Is Detroit only experienced as memory?
One of the most inspiring stories for this generation is Michigan Central Station. Laying fallow for nearly 40 years then truly rising from its ashes—r esurget cineribus —MCS is the embodiment of living Detroit,
not just remembering it. While many structures have come and gone, Detroit, that abstraction beyond the mere sum of the parts, lives on. We find new uses for what remains, assimilating our history into our future.
The ingenuity of this great city is its trademark, and while “adaptive reuse” is in vogue today, Detroit has been reinventing itself for generations. MCS stands for inheritance, which is our architecture: Monuments to great men and women, monuments to a people, monuments to ideas. What we choose to do with this inheritance is, of course, our choice, but as the designers and engineers of Detroit, I believe it is our responsibility to learn about, care for, and pass on the heritage of our built environment just as we do our traditions and language.
Engineers aren’t made in a day, and neither was Detroit. A unique amalgam of styles, time periods, visions for humanity, and paint colors have fashioned that inimitable quality of Detroit. Tough, gritty, beautiful Detroit.
Herschel Rogers, EIT, is a Structural Designer at Ghafari and a member of the TechCentury Editorial Board.
Michigan Central Station before renovation. The renovated project is featured on pages 44 and 45.
ETHICS IN
BRIDGING THE GAP
TEACHING ETHICS TO ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE PROFESSION
BY ERIC WARD
Teaching professional ethics to architecture students faces some familiar challenges, common to all of the applied disciplines: first, and most difficult, projecting students into a world of professional roles and actions that they have not yet experienced; then, illustrating for them that world’s possibilities and pitfalls; and, finally, engaging them in reasoning about the situations they may encounter and resolutions of those situations.
Many teachers of professional ethics would argue that, of the two instructional tasks involved—organizing the ethics content to be taught and generating the classroom energy to support vigorous ethical discussion— it is the second task, fostering engagement with ethical reasoning, that determines the preparedness of students for the challenges of real practice. This article will serve as an overview of ethics in architectural education, briefly describing the content involved in ethics courses, then emphasizing the importance of the ethical reasoning approach that guides its delivery.
Regarding content, professional degrees in architecture are accredited in the United States by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The NAAB Conditions for Accreditation have typically grouped together several practice-based topics, including legal responsibilities, business practices, project management, and professional conduct, which in degree programs usually becomes a semester-long course named Professional Practice.
The Conditions’ basic requirement towards ethics is to develop an “understanding of the ethical issues involved in the exercise of professional judgment in architectural design and practice” (2014 version). Consequently, before wider topics of ethics are taught, professional practice courses usually teach certain fundamental topics such as contract language, including the standard of care, and the architect’s duties over the course of a project, to establish for the students a basis on which to ground their ethical reasoning.
A standard textbook often used for the course is The Architecture Student’s Handbook of Professional Practice , which focuses on two documents that the profession has developed over the years: The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, (https://www.aia.org/code-ethics-professional-conduct), and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Model Rules of Conduct, (https://www. ncarb.org/sites/default/files/Rules_of_Conduct.pdf).
In general, the NCARB document covers the architect’s general professional responsibilities toward the public’s health, safety and welfare, along with specific ethical responsibilities for conduct in business and toward clients and projects. Also included are requirements governing the legal provision of architectural services, and the process of professional regulation. The AIA document includes most of these items, and adds a number of wider topics that have been adopted by the AIA as a requirement for AIA members specifically, such as promoting sustainability and providing public-interest services.
Shifting emphasis now from content to the ethical reasoning approach that guides the delivery of the material, a method commonly used to extend ethics education beyond a mere list of topics, to a wider understanding of professional judgment, is case study analysis (used as a method by other applied disciplines as well). Reference books compiling cases across the full range of professional practice topics often form the core material for a semester’s discussions. Industry articles also provide many highprofile real-world cases, an example being the Citicorp Tower structural crisis of 1978, with a range of issues wide enough to provoke vigorous student responses throughout the entire semester.
Case studies are important for ethics instruction because they often reflect most closely the realities of practice. Even common practice-based ethical issues involve complexities, which can range from sequences of events over time, and multiple people and roles, upward to legitimate conflicts of duty, and multiple defensible
ETHICS IN ENGINEERING
solutions requiring choice. To develop professional judgment, longer essay-based exercises are often used, that allow each student to apply and practice skills of analysis across many factors, generation of multiple solutions, and weighing of recommendations. Individuals’ essays are often discussed and critiqued in groups, with revisions resubmitted.
Most importantly for architectural ethics education, it is the fostering of ethical discussion about applied cases, among a group of peers, that provides the normative grounding for students’ understanding of the professional architects’ standard of care—which is intentionally not defined explicitly in textbooks or contracts, but is instead referenced always to the practice-norms of a community of
professionals. Furthermore, and most importantly for this article’s closing question below, in a licensure candidate’s world, this level of professional ethical reasoning with peers is experienced only in a discussion-based professional practice course, as part of a NAAB-accredited professional architectural degree program’s requirement for ethics in architectural education.
To close out this article’s overview of ethics in architectural education, a currently relevant topic is raised: Professional licensing laws are periodically reviewed by state legislatures, and many states, to help address the increasing cost of college education, are considering shifting toward a licensure model that provides alternative paths to licensure, possibly not requiring a NAABaccredited degree, or allowing additional professional work experience to be used in lieu of a professional degree. Examples of this licensure model already exist in seventeen of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions, including New York and California.
While the two other major components of Michigan’s current licensure process, the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE), are not changing, the possible removal of the NAAB-accredited professional degree requirement would result in ethics education needing to rely on AXP tasks and ARE testing to guide and validate a licensure candidate’s sufficient acquisition of professional ethics and judgment skills.
An important question can be asked regarding this possible change: Given this article’s support for applied ethical reasoning of the kind developed through case studies and discussions in professional practice courses, would future licensure candidates, who might lack such a college course and would need to rely only on AXP and ARE material, truly learn how to think through the full range of ethical issues that architects face in practice? An answer consistent with the mandate to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare might be: A college course in professional practice ethical reasoning should be required, regardless of whether a full professional degree remains an overall requirement.
Eric Ward is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Architecture Department at the College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technological University, teaching Professional Practice, Construction Systems, and Studio lab courses, and is CoAD’s NCARB Licensing Advisor, and Coordinator of the LTU/NCARB Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure program. Eric’s 40-year practice experience in Chicago, Boston, and Southeast Michigan spans a wide range of building types, project sizes, and delivery methods, within a similarly diverse set of firm types, business models, and distinctly different practice-cultures. In each of these contexts Eric has led thoughtfully-designed and often complex building projects, managing them equally in both the office and the field, and using them each as opportunities to train professionals and develop firms.
Citicorp Center’s daring stilted design—once at risk of catastrophic failure—became a landmark lesson in engineering ethics. It is pictured above with sketch of internal framework superimposed on one side.
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TURNING CHALLENGES UPSIDE DOWN
BY CHRISTOPHER J. WEBB
recall the day in 2008 when David A. Skiven, then Executive Director of GM’s Worldwide Facilities Group, turned to me and said, “Chris, let’s form an inclusive institute here at The Engineering Society of Detroit modeled in part on the National Academies grounded in problem-solving engineering best practices to solve today’s pressing problems.”
IImmediately, I said, “Yes!”
Years before Dave’s invitation, my love for engineering blossomed while I was inside counsel at the Jervis B. Webb Company. Webb was created in 1915 by my grandfather, who invented the keystone chain that Henry Ford adopted to mechanize its first assembly lines. For many years Webb valued our engineers as their most important employees to grow the company with new ideas.
One story I will share goes back to the 1983 introduction of the Pontiac Fiero and the early use of automation consisting of robots at the floor level of a plant. For a moment, recall the Diego Rivera fresco, Detroit Industry, given by Edsel Ford to the Detroit Institute of Arts, that is on the cover and many pages of The Technology Century, 100 Years at the Engineering Society of Detroit (1895-1995). You will quickly notice our power and free conveyors running everywhere except on the floor of the plant!
My father, Jervis C. Webb, then president and chairman of Webb, called me into his office one day and said, “Get 15 of our best engineers in one room and come up with a new
idea or our company will go under.”
First of all, I thought he was crazy to ask me to bring the engineers together and secondly, I had no idea what was going to happen. As it turned out, that’s exactly why it worked out.
So, I brought our best into a room and went crazy trying to get them to see the gravity of the situation, scare ‘em and/or something. Most just sat politely listening to me and sort of smiling. Some were drawing on paper in front of them. Nobody spoke. It was absolutely maddening.
Then, reaching my limit, I turned to one of our best and said, “Clarence, don’t you have an idea?” “Well, maybe,” he replied. “Well, what is it?” I said with my eyes bulging out of my head. “Well, Chris,” Clarence spoke almost whispering, “It really isn’t a big deal. All you have to do is turn the conveyor upside down and we can use many of the same parts. The design and application engineering should be relatively easy and I think it will actually lower our cost for mechanizing a conveyor assembly line in the future.”
Then he leaned back in his chair, asking, “Are we done now?”
Once you have digested this little true story, I think you will see that engineering is the great engine for innovation. Its beauty is its creativity, its practicality, its neutrality and its simplicity. Those fostered in the profession today will succeed in giving their talents to our world in need. Someone skilled in engineering can, frankly, write their own ticket. By fostering engineering in our schools
and places of work, we will achieve a diverse and equitable workforce that is immune from the political vicissitudes of today. Tackling the challenges of today—global warming, poverty, mobility to name just a few—is the stuff of engineering. Few professions are as selfless and at the same time so powerful to build our path forward together for the many and not just the few.
Oh, and a small postscript, perhaps next year should be the year ESD updates its foundational book that can then serve to open the minds and hearts of our next generation of engineers!
J.
is a Fellow of The Engineering Society of Detroit and the 2014 recipient of the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award. His law and alternative dispute resolution firm can be found online at webbadr.com.
Christopher
Webb, JD, FESD,
REVITALIZING TOGETHER PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO HISTORIC NORTHVILLE
BY WENDY WILMERS LONGPRE AND BILL MOYLAN
The historic city of Northville, founded in 1827, is undergoing a major transformation involving significant improvements to public facilities and substantial private development investments. Public-private partnerships are driving this change, bringing over $14 million in investment to Northville and its public spaces. The Northville community; local, state and federal governments; and private developers are all playing a role in bringing about this renaissance.
Private Redevelopment of Northville Downs Racetrack
The Northville Downs racetrack, just north of 7-mile Road in Northville, was the first standard-bred harness racetrack in Michigan. Located on the 48-acre former Wayne County fairgrounds, the ½ mile oval racetrack was in continuous operation from 1944 until the last race on February 6, 2024. As this milestone passed, it opened the opportunity for a redevelopment project that would spur the transformation of the Northville community.
The city of Northville entered a Planned Development Agreement (PDA) with Hunter Pasteur Northville LLC and Perennial Northville LLC in December 2023. The Downs development of the site, per the PDA, will be a residential oriented community featuring mixed density residential housing and approximately 18,500 SF of commercial space. The housing options include single family attached and detached homes, apartments, condominiums, townhouses and carriage homes.
The Downs redevelopment includes privately funded improvements benefiting the entire Northville community. Upgrades to water, sewer, gas and electric infrastructure; considerable contributions towards upgrades to improve the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the development; and construction of two public parks.
Private Contributions Leveraged to Support Northville’s Community Initiatives
The Downs PUD provides for $1,445,000 in private developer contributions for transportation infrastructure improvements. Several mid-block pedestrian crossings are to be constructed to increase pedestrian safety and support
non-motorized transportation. Upgrades to the 7-Mile/ Main Street intersection and the first traffic circles in Wayne County at the intersections at Center Street/7-Mile Road and Hynes Drive/7-Mile, will improve safety and efficiency of vehicle traffic through the intersections.
The developer funds provided by The Downs project along with city matching funds have been successfully
The Downs site plan and an isometric view of River Park.
leveraged to secure an additional $4,556,165 from state and federal transportation programs to support the infrastructure improvements.
Construction of public parks and trails was integral to approval of The Downs PUD, including the 1.25 acre Central Park, a robust trail and sidewalk network throughout the development, and the 7.85 acre River Park, which restores 1,200 LF of the Rouge River from a channelized to an open-air system.
River Park represents a multi-million-dollar community amenity and offers an additional opportunity for public-private partnership. While primarily funded through a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan, the park development is also supported by a $1 million EGLE
Brownfield Grant to assist in soil clean-up and a $2.5 million allocation from Wayne County ARPA Funds.
Transforming Northville’s Public Spaces
Northville’s transformation goes beyond The Downs redevelopment to include significant improvements to other public facilities. Significant improvements to the Ford Field West & East Parks and the new Northville Farmers Market are well underway.
The Ford Field West improvements include a new waterfall at Serenity Point, vista overlook, fencing, staircase upgrades, ADA entrance, a new playscape and restrooms. Ford Field East improvements extend the Downs Riverwalk/Pathway System with bridges across the Rouge River and accessible pathways.
Learning Opportunities for Local University Students
Wendy Wilmers Longpre, the Northville Director Strategic Planning / Special Projects, has connected
with Lawrence Technological University to create active learning opportunities for LTU architecture and engineering students. Dr. Elin Jensen, LTU Civil & Architectural Engineering, and Elizabeth Dizik, LTU College of Architecture & Design, are incorporating various engineering and design challenges of the Northville urban parks development into their courses for the LTU students to contend. These “real world” technical and social issues will test the LTU students’ ingenuity, critical thinking and creativity to develop suitable, realistic solutions.
Maximizing Benefits through Partnerships
By definition, a renaissance is a time of renewal and rebirth. As with any transformation, it also brings a time of upheaval and uncertainty. The city of Northville is capitalizing on these times of change to secure substantial improvements to public facilities. The creative use of public-private partnership has allowed the city to maximize private resources to create long-term community benefits.
Wendy Wilmers Longpre is the Director of Strategic Planning and Special Projects for the city of Northville. She has a degree in Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University and has over 35 years of experience in planning and construction management in the public sector.
William A. Moylan, PhD, PMP, FESD, DTM , is a Professor Emeritus with Eastern Michigan University and instructs on Construction Law, and, Adjunct Professor at Lawrence Tech instructing on Ethics for Engineers [EGE3022 Leadership & Professional Development]. He serves part time as a consultant, trainer, educator, expert witness and practitioner in professional Project Management and Construction Engineering. He is a member of the TechCentury Editorial Board.
DETROIT BUILDS AGAIN START UPS HELP POWER CITY’S TRANSFORMATION
BY PRANAV DESHMUKH
Long known for its ties to the automotive industry, Detroit is now in the midst of a major transformation. The city has become a hub for entrepreneurship, driven by a growing network of founders, investors, and support organizations. With this energy, Detroit is building a future centered on innovation. This article looks at how startups are helping power Detroit’s transformation, and what’s fueling their growth.
Startups are young companies focused on solving problems through innovation, speed, and scalable growth. They often grow with funding from venture capitalists or angel investors, along with support from incubator programs to scale quickly.
In the past three years, Detroit has seen a 50% rise in venture capital and investments, according to data from the Detroit Regional Chamber. This not only makes it easier for startups to access funding but also attracts talent and encourages innovation across the city. Additionally, in 2022, Michigan saw over 23,000 new business launches; a figure comparable to startup-heavy cities like Austin and Denver (Startup Genome).
So, what’s fueling Detroit’s startup momentum?
An expanding support network for founders, including accelerators and mentors
New physical spaces that bring people and ideas together
A rising number of events that make entrepreneurship accessible and exciting
Increased interest and investment from both local and national players
New physical spaces are fueling collaboration
One of the most notable is Newlab at Michigan Central, which now houses over 100 startups focused on electric vehicles, mobility, and clean technology. By bringing together entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, and corporate partners in one shared space, Newlab is building a community designed for innovation and experimentation. It’s helping reestablish Detroit as a global leader in mobility and the future of transportation. Spaces like Bamboo Detroit and TechTown also offer coworking, mentorship, and resources to help startups grow from idea to launch.
Within the past year, 24 local startups raised over $316 million, Wayne County saw a 58% increase in venture-backed companies over seven years, and statewide, Michigan crossed $1 billion in VC funding in 2023. Detroit was also named the second-fastest growing startup ecosystem in the world, according to PitchBook and StartupBlink.
Corporate partnerships are accelerating growth
Major companies with deep roots in Detroit, like Ford, GM, and Stellantis, are increasingly collaborating with startups to stay ahead of innovation. These partnerships provide startups with funding, mentorship, and access to real-world testing environments, especially in industries like automotive, energy, and advanced manufacturing. For instance, GM’s partnership with Plug and Play Detroit connects early-stage startups with opportunities to pilot and scale within the auto industry. These partnerships are driving innovation inside legacy firms and positioning Detroit as a leader in emerging industries.
Events are making entrepreneurship more accessible
Michigan Tech Week and Detroit Startup Week are two of the most impactful gatherings in the state, drawing founders, students, investors, and companies from across the country.
Michigan Tech Week focuses on statewide innovation and brings together a mix of tech leaders, early-stage startups, and student entrepreneurs for pitch competitions, panels, and networking.
Detroit Startup Week fills the city with free, community-driven programming aimed at supporting local founders and spotlighting the city’s entrepreneurial energy. Together, these events are helping put Detroit on the map as a destination for bold ideas and new ventures.
Universities are fueling the next generation of entrepreneurs
Across Michigan, top schools are helping students turn ideas into startups, and many of those ideas are finding their home in Detroit.
At Michigan State, the Burgess Institute has become a leading force in campus innovation. In FY24 alone, student venture teams raised over $1.5 million in funding. With over 300 student teams working on their own ideas, the program is helping build a strong culture of student-led startups and real-world problem solving.
Institutions like the University of Michigan, Wayne State, and others are also investing in entrepreneurship, helping bring fresh talent, new ideas, and student-led ventures into Detroit’s growing innovation scene.
Founders aren’t building alone
Detroit is now home to over a dozen accelerators and incubators that give founders the structure and support to go from idea to launch. TechTown’s Start Studio helps entrepreneurs test their business models and figure out what really works. The Apple Developer Academy offers hands-on training to turn app ideas into working products. Build Institute helps local founders develop business plans and get pitch-ready. All of these programs help people start something, with a team around them.
The results of this energy and investment are becoming increasingly visible in the city’s growth. Within the past year, 24 local startups raised over $316 million, Wayne County saw a 58% increase in venture-backed companies over seven years, and statewide, Michigan crossed $1 billion in VC funding in 2023. Detroit was also named the second-fastest growing startup ecosystem in the world, according to PitchBook and StartupBlink.
With all of this in motion, it’s clear Detroit is becoming a serious force in the startup world.
REFERENCES
1. Cronicle Press, State of Detroit’s Entrepreneurial Community, 2021
2. DBusiness , Detroit, Wayne County Entrepreneurs Show Strong Growth Over Seven-Year Period, 2023
3. Michigan Venture Capital Association, 2024 MVCA Research Report, 2024
5. Startup Genome, Global Startup Ecosystem Report, 2023
Pranav Deshmukh is a junior studying Computer Engineering at Michigan State University. He’s currently a Technical Project Management intern at Tesla. He previously interned at Newlab Detroit and worked at LIVAQ, a company building performance electric off-road vehicles. He also serves as President of the MSU Entrepreneurship Association and is passionate about innovation, sustainability, and community.
DETROIT’S SOLAR NEIGHBORHOODS TAKE ROOT Working Together Toward a Brighter Future
BY SUSAN THWING
On a once-vacant stretch of land in Detroit’s Gratiot-Findlay neighborhood, a vision is taking shape—one powered not only by sunlight, but by people. With shovels poised and final designs approved, Detroit’s ambitious Solar Neighborhoods initiative is preparing to break ground this fall, and its momentum is unmistakable.
The project—spearheaded by Mayor Mike Duggan’s Office of Sustainability and backed by local residents, solar developers, and community advocates—is transforming blighted parcels into solar fields that will power 127 municipal buildings while restoring pride and purpose to neighborhoods long overlooked.
But it’s the people who are shaping this story. “It has been quite rewarding to work with residents who have been faced with declining community conditions of blight and home removal for more than 30 years,” said Diane Van Buren of D2 Solar, who, along with Diane Cheklich, has worked hand-in-hand with residents in the Van Dyke-Lynch neighborhood for more than a year. “Now they have the opportunity to beautify their neighborhood and receive community benefits for their own homes.”
Those benefits are tangible: Each household surrounding the solar fields will receive up to $25,000
in energy efficiency upgrades, including roof repairs, new windows, insulation, and even solar panels. Just as importantly, residents had a say in what would rise from the overgrown lots and crumbling foundations outside their doors.
“I really enjoyed the design planning meetings,” said Haley Henley, a Van Dyke-Lynch resident, in a press release. “It allowed my neighbors and me to make decisions regarding how the solar fields are going to be designed. I felt like my input was valuable.”
In total, five neighborhoods—Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, State Fair, Houston-Whittier/Hayes, and Greenfield Park/I-75/McNichols—have now finalized their plans for solar fields that are as functional as they are beautiful. Each features resident-selected landscaping, including wildflower meadows, privacy fencing, agrivoltaic garden beds, and tree-lined buffers that blend seamlessly into the surrounding community.
From Blight to Bright
The first phase of the project covers 104 acres across three neighborhoods, where vacant homes have already been demolished in preparation for construction. The second phase adds another 61 acres, bringing the total to 165 acres of city land repurposed for renewable energy.
But while solar panels will soon span this acreage, the vision is much broader. Beneath and around the panels, Detroit is introducing something rare in urban solar projects: agrivoltaics—spaces where agriculture and energy coexist. That means raised garden beds, clover and native wildflowers for pollinators, and potential sites for community food production.
A Collaborative Future
The Solar Neighborhoods initiative has also become a model of community-led planning. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, the city partnered with residents from the outset, asking what they wanted on the land around them—and listening closely.
In return, support for the project has been overwhelmingly positive. All five neighborhoods were selected based on resident interest and support. Even land acquisition—a notoriously tricky part of any major urban development—has proceeded with minimal friction. Most parcels were city-owned or vacant; for privately held properties, the city offered buyouts and relocation support through its $4.4 million Solar Equity Fund.
For residents who chose to move, support was provided. For those who remained, reassurance came in the form of upgrades, improved neighborhood aesthetics, and confidence that their voices shaped the final product.
Looking Ahead
Construction for Phase One is set to begin in early fall 2025, with Phase Two expected to follow by early 2026. When complete, the solar arrays will generate approximately 33 megawatts of renewable energy—enough to power cityowned buildings from fire stations to pools—and reduce Detroit’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20% from 2012 levels.
The Solar Neighborhoods project also lays critical groundwork for the city’s broader sustainability goals: powering 100% of municipal operations with clean energy by 2034, and sourcing half of Detroit’s electricity from renewables within the next three years.
Leading the build-out are Lightstar Renewables and DTE Energy, both bringing deep experience in urban solar deployment. But it’s the partnership with people— residents, organizers, city leaders—that may be the project’s most important innovation.
“This is what it looks like to build a clean energy future that’s rooted in equity,” said Van Buren. “You don’t just drop solar panels into a neighborhood. You bring people into the process. You listen, and you build together.”
Detroit’s Solar Neighborhoods are more than a renewable energy project—they’re proof of what’s possible when a city commits to lifting up its people and powering its future with their voices leading the way.
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A Guide to Writing as an Engineer
BY DAVID F. BEER AND DAVID A. McMURREY
REVIEW BY SUSAN THWING
Engineers may be masters of systems and solvers of complex, real-world problems, but even the most elegant solution can fall flat without the ability to communicate effectively. That’s the premise behind A Guide to Writing as an Engineer , the compact, clear, and practical resource by David F. Beer and David A. McMurrey. Aimed at both engineering students and practicing engineers, this book has quietly maintained its relevance for decades as a writing reference tailored to technical minds.
For Detroit’s engineering and design community—where innovation is rooted not just in product development but in collaborative documentation, specs, and proposals— this book offers a straightforward and valuable refresher. It’s not a writing theory tome nor a broad humanitiesstyle guide; rather, it’s a no-nonsense manual with real-world application at its core.
Structured for accessibility, the book covers essential forms of engineering communication: formal reports, proposals, memos, emails, progress updates, and instructions. Each chapter is built with the engineer in mind, with examples that reflect the professional settings in which these documents are produced. Beer and McMurrey assume their readers are not aspiring novelists, and they never wander into literary jargon or abstract style debates. Their focus is consistently
on usability—on helping engineers write clearly, concisely, and persuasively for colleagues, clients, and regulators alike.
One of the book’s particular strengths is how it demystifies writing without dumbing it down. The authors provide simple rules for structure and clarity, offer models and templates for common document types, and highlight typical pitfalls— like overuse of passive voice, bloated language, or poor organization— that plague technical writing. Their chapter on email and electronic communication, while somewhat dated in its references to early internet culture, remains surprisingly relevant. In fact, in an age where so much professional communication happens via quick digital messages, the emphasis on precision and tone in email is a timely reminder.
Some readers might wish for a deeper dive into more advanced or specialized writing formats, such as white papers or technical manuals, but the book is candid about its scope. It is a guide—not an encyclopedia. It’s ideal for students in engineering programs that incorporate communication modules, or for early-career professionals looking to strengthen their documentation skills. Even experienced engineers might find useful takeaways in its clear presentation of strategies for clarity and audience awareness.
Where the book occasionally falters is in its dated references and formatting. The 1st edition,
published in 1997, shows its age in small but noticeable ways—from older terminology for word processing to examples that lack the context of today’s digital design workflows. However, the fundamental principles it champions are timeless: know your audience, be clear and direct, and support your work with appropriately structured writing.
In short, A Guide to Writing as an Engineer earns its place on the shelf as a supplemental resource that engineers can actually use. It’s an excellent bridge between technical know-how and communicative competence, especially in regions like Detroit where engineering drives not only manufacturing and mobility, but the storytelling behind innovation.
Susan Thwing is the editor of TechCentury magazine and a seasoned communicator with over 30 years of experience in journalism, university communications, healthcare, engineering, and research. She specializes in making complex topics clear, compelling, and human-centered. Her work has supported leading institutions and technical societies across Michigan and beyond.
A Guide to Writing as an Engineer was first published in 1997 and has 220 pages.
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Soc. for Industrial & Applied Mathematics–Gr. Lakes Sec. (SIAM)
Soc. for Marketing Professional Services–MI (SMPS)
Soc. of Am. Military Engineers (SAME)
Soc. of Am. Value Engineers–Greater MI Ch. (SAVE-GMC)
Soc. of Applied Engineering Sciences (SAES)
Soc. of Fire Protection Engineers–MI Ch. (SFPE)
Soc. of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Soc. of Manufacturers’ Representatives (SMR)
Soc. of Manufacturing Engineers–Detroit Ch. No. One (SME)
Soc. of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
Soc. of Plastics Engineers–Automotive Division (SPEA)
Soc. of Plastics Engineers–Detroit (SPE-DETROIT)
Soc. of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers (STLE)
Soc. of Women Engineers (SWE)
SE MI Facility & Power Plant Engineers Soc. (SEMPPES)
SE MI Soc. for Healthcare Engineering (SMSHE)
SE MI Sustainable Business Forum (SMSBF)
Southeastern MI Computer Organization, Inc. (SEMCO)
Structural Engineers Assn. of MI–Am. Inst. of Steel Const. (SEAMi)
Student Environmental Assn.–University of MI, Dearborn (SEA-UMD)
TiE–The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)
U.S. Green Building Council–Detroit Regional Ch. (USGBC-DRC)
United States Army (USARMY)
United States Navy (USNAVY)
BUILDING PEOPLE
At Ideal Contracting, our commitment is to our people, helping them build fulfilling careers that make a lasting impact. By supporting personal growth and professional development, we help our people shape their futures—and the future of our industry.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Deeply rooted in Southwest Detroit, we invest our time, energy, and resources to help our neighborhoods grow. Whether it’s mentoring the next generation or improving the spaces we share, we’re committed to building a stronger, more connected community.
BUILDING EXPERTISE
Through our Construction, Steel, and Special Projects Groups, we deliver tailored solutions across various market sectors. With strong skilled trade partners and our self-perform capabilities, our collaborative approach and technical expertise drive projects that shape the world around us.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
For over 25 years, we’ve built trusted partnerships—with clients, project teams, and communities alike. These long-standing relationships reflect our commitment to shared success and lasting impact.
