Bloomfield Hills, MI – September 23, 2010 – The Detroit chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Detroit announced its 9th annual IMPACT Award winners at the IMPACT luncheon held today at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills. The IMPACT Awards, deemed among the most prominent honors in the Greater Detroit commercial real estate community, recognize recently completed, multi-disciplinary projects in Southeast Michigan that demonstrate a significant, positive impact on the communities where they are built. Projects are awarded in three categories: new development, redevelopment and special impact.
- The winner in the new development category is the Karmanos-Crittenton Cancer Center in Rochester Hills. Completed in February 2010, the $14 million, 30,000 square foot project, a partnership between the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center and Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, is intended to provide cutting edge cancer care and treatment options close to home for a growing population. The building was designed by Albert Kahn and construction management services were provided by Barton Malow.
- The winner in the re-development category is the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in Detroit. The historic former Argonaut Building, donated by General Motors, was redeveloped by the College for Creative Studies (CCS) to expand the campus and advance the renewal of the New Center Area. The building now houses undergraduate and graduate programs in design, community outreach activities, student housing, research and professional activities in the design fields, and a charter middle school and high school with a special focus on art and design. The building was designed by Albert Kahn and construction management services were provided by Walbridge Aldinger.
- The winner in the special impact category is the Eastern Market Shed 3 in Detroit. Built in 1923, Shed 3 was architecturally restored in 2009, given a 21st century infrastructure and repurposed as an entertainment venue in addition to its continued use for produce sales and distribution. The restoration is part of a plan called Eastern Market 360 to spur economic growth in Detroit. The building was designed by Kraemer Design Group and construction management services were provided by KEO & Associates and Turner Construction Company.
Reflecting on the winning projects, CREW Detroit member and IMPACT judge Catherine DeDecker, Vice President of Rochester Hills-based Spalding DeDecker Associates, cited their highlights.
“The Karmanos-Crittenton Cancer Center site looks more like a vacation destination than a health care center, achieving its goal of creating a healing environment, “ commented DeDecker. “Given the influx of young, creative students who occupy the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, the New Center area and surrounding businesses are sure to benefit from the presence of this re-development.”
Commenting on Eastern Market Shed 3, DeDecker continues, “Thanks to the windows, lighting, radiant heat, and other improvements, this facility feels warm and welcoming. Plus, with the facility available to rent, the impact will reach beyond produce and nursery vendors and local consumers.”
This year’s IMPACT Award winners were selected from a pool of thirteen contenders. To be considered for inclusion, all projects entered for consideration had to involve at least one company with a CREW Detroit member and had to have been completed between January 1, 2009 and June 29, 2010. Project criteria are broad and include innovative design and/or construction, environmental consciousness, creative use of existing materials, sensitive land use and social/economic significance. Other 2010 IMPACT award submissions were:
- Woody Plaza (Hamtramck)
- EMU Indoor Practice Facility (Ypsilanti)
- The Shops at Old Orchard (West Bloomfield)
- Rayconnect (Rochester Hills)
- Dequindre Cut Greenway (Detroit)
- The Guardian Building Renovations (Detroit)
- 16th District Court (Livonia)
- Clarkston Medical Group (Clarkston)
- Commerce Township Hall (Commerce)
- FX Architecture Studio (Royal Oak)
In addition to Ms. DeDecker, the 2010 IMPACT awards judges were: Lawrence Marantette/ Taktix Solutions, R.J. King/DBusiness, Helen Dennis/CBRE, Bob Washer/ MICCO, Joan Cleland/ Acquest, and Delia Rodi Barczys/ Niagara Murano.
CREW Detroit member and IMPACT Awards Chair Mary LeFevre, Manager of Business Development with Turner Construction Company, summarized the meaning of the IMPACT awards.
“The 2010 IMPACT awards represent some of the best projects that SE Michigan has to offer in terms of design, usability, sustainability and economic impact,” commented Ms. LeFevre. “With at least one CREW Detroit member involved in each of the 13 projects submitted, the IMPACT awards also represent the strength of women’s accomplishments in the region’s commercial real estate community.”
About CREW Detroit
CREW Detroit (www.crewdetroit.org), founded in 1986, is a member-focused professional organization dedicated to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate by promoting networking and business opportunities among its more than 140 members. It is a founding chapter, and one of the largest local chapters, of CREW Network, a professional organization of more than 8,000 commercial real estate women in the U.S. and Canada.
Media Contact: Barbara M. Fornasiero; 248.651.7536; 586.817.8414 barbara@eafocus.com;
Toni Gasperoni, CREW Detroit, 586-201-8213; tonig@landscapeforms.com
