The Soaring Eagle Water Park and Hotel continued construction with more than one-quarter of the work complete as of late August.

Construction for the resort, 5665 E. Pickard St., is set to finish by the summer of 2012 after it began in April.

“I would say it’s about 28 percent finished,” said Saginaw Chippewa Indian Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier. “Soon we will be starting siding and sheeting.”

Jason Fischl, superintendent of the construction project, said progress is being made quickly.

“The main structure is finished, including the north tower, south tower and the second floor,” Fischl said.

Horizon Construction Group of Wisconsin is building the hotel and has partnered with architecture firm Thalden Boyd Emery.

The framework is in place, but it has been too windy recently to install much glass, Fischl said. He said glass will be installed when the winds die down.

One unusual glass structure is a large skylight that will run over the water park portion of the hotel.

“The skylight is approximately 60 feet wide and 100 feet long,” said Lisa Darnell, property manager for Migizi Economic Development Company.

Darnell said plans have been on budget and in line with the schedule that was set.

“Everything is going smoothly,” she said. “There’s been no major design changes or problems.”

Construction of several different pools is also currently underway.

There will be a pool separate from the park area specifically for guests without a park pass, Fischl said.

The park will be 45,000 square feet and will include a wave rider, body slide, bowl slide, rock climbing wall, lazy river, children’s play area and a private adult pool.

Cloutier said because the hotel is not on tribal land, a liquor license specific to the square footage of the project is needed.

Gaining the license should not be a problem for the June opening, he said.

Construction will begin in spring at the corner of Bluegrass and Encore Drive as part of the Union Commons shopping development.

“We’re always trying to push the limit to the next town over,” said David Kapusansky, ALDI’s director of real estate. “Mount Pleasant is a good mid-Michigan area. We chose that market area because it is a healthy, new vibrant retail area and we wanted to be part of that.”

The store will be 17,800 square-feet with 73 parking spaces, which meets township requirements. The project will take approximately six months to complete and Kapusansky said they plan to hire a dozen people once the store opens.

Kapusansky said with their concentrative product methods, they are able to reduce the amount of space and lower product costs.

“What we do is try and go get the most popular product in every category and carry only that,” he said. “For example, we might carry crunchy and smooth peanut butter in only one brand, where as in other stores they will have around five to chose from, which takes up more space and costs more.”

As another measure to cut costs, the store has limited hours and will be open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Whenever consumers have additional choices, it is always a positive development for the township,” said Township Supervisor John Barker.

He said the township is committed to positive, smart growth in areas zoned for it, and this development meets the necessary requirements of the new sidewalk ordinance. Another stretch of sidewalk on Bluegrass Road is a welcome addition.

The closest ALDI store is located in Saginaw and is one of 53 in the state of Michigan.

“Because Mount Pleasant has a large student population, that became a big draw for us to build here,” Kapusansky said. “We want to provide the best value in the U.S.”

MDOT Spokeswoman Anita Richardson said the $2 million project to improve the 3.1 mile stretch from South Mission Street to North Mission Road is about at the halfway mark.

“(We’re doing) night work to help lessen the impacts to both businesses and the traveling public,” said Brian Atkinson, Mount Pleasant Transportation Service Center engineer.

Starting today construction will begin on the second phase of the project — from High Street to North Mission Road.

Construction on phase one, the stretch of Mission Street south of High Street, is almost finished.

“We just got a slight overlap on that phase one more than likely due to weather,” Richardson said.

Richardson said there has been no change in budget, and use of the money received from federal and state funding has not fluctuated.

Phase two of construction will continue in the same way as phase one.

“We’re going to do this road work using lane closures and traffic shifts,” Richardson said.

Richardson said feedback about the project has been positive.

“I did receive one call,” she said. “Someone told me … it’s beautiful, and that they were really surprised at the extent of the improvement.”

Atkinson said the road work itself is an inch-and-a-half overlay on the road, designed to prolong the life of the road.

He said Mission Street was easier to fix now, rather than waiting for the road to deteriorate.

In addition to the resurfacing work, Richardson said road improvements will also include joint repairs and sidewalk and ramp upgrades to comply with the American with Disabilities Act.

Mount Pleasant senior Ashlii Barlow said she dislikes the construction itself, but is pleased with the results so far.

“I like the roads now,” she said. “It’s a lot better than it was before, and it’s easier on my car.”

Atkinson said the road work has gone smoothly so far, and he expects it to continue in the same manner.

“We anticipate it to go smoothly just because of the coordination effort,” he said.

Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Steve Lawrence said on-campus construction and maintenance is completed during the summer so as not to interfere with classes.

In an email, Lawrence said the university receives $5.7 million in deferred maintenance funding each year to repair aging infrastructure.

“The summer is the best time to complete this work,” he said.

Facilities Management is focusing on sidewalks, parking lots and street repairs for the same reason; fewer people are on campus during the summer months.

Several classrooms in Brooks and Anspach halls are undergoing renovation and will be closed for a portion of the summer according to the Construction Project Hotline. The hotline can be called by all members of the public at 774-6500.

“The university consists of over 5.75 million square feet of floor space and it requires considerable maintenance to keep the buildings and behind-the-scenes equipment operating efficiently,” Lawrence said.

One parking lot undergoing maintenance is Lot 10, adjacent to the Bovee University Center.

Lawrence said the lot is being reconstructed to remove old, cracked asphalt and perform repairs on drainage structures.

“(We will be) replacing some concrete curbing and sidewalks as well as reshaping the area to provide better storm water drainage,” he said.

Similar work is being done on Warriner Hall, where downspout and drainage repairs are taking place, according to the Facilities Management website.

Domestic water supplies are being repaired in Moore Hall, closing off access to the restrooms on the third and fourth floors of the building until June 23. The building has no hot water until June 15, the hotline said.

Lawrence said a set of bathrooms is almost always kept open during this period of maintenance. The only exception is when the entire building has its water shut off to make repairs to the main supply system or valves.

This was the case one day during the summer, but he does not expect it to happen again.

Construction continues in the Bovee UC. The lower East Wing is under renovation and will remain closed until project completion. The Health Professions Building is still undergoing construction in the area that will house the College of Medicine.

Ian Kelly, a St. Joseph senior, said he noticed both the construction in the parking lots and the lower level UC renovations, and said it is more difficult to have the additional parking spots taken.

“But it hasn’t really been a problem; I just go to a different lot,” he said.

“We have hired a second company to determine the extent of the damages to the mechanical and electrical systems, insulation within Brooks Hall,” said Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management.

Pipes on the third floor of Brooks began to leak around 2 p.m. on June 4.

Insurance agents from Mid-State Plumbing and Heating, Victaulic, a manufacturer of the pipes used in Brooks, EFI Global, an investigative and consulting firm, and a technical consultant from LWG Consulting inspected the building the following week.

Janice Trionfi, director of risk management, environmental health and safety said investigating and assessing a claim takes time.

“I think (Central Michigan University) is getting closer but it’s still too soon to say,” Trionfi said. “It typically takes time to compile the information, especially with larger property claims.”

Trionfi said Belfor USA Group, a restoration company, is on site to inspect equipment in each room of the building to determine the degree of damage and whether it is reparable or a complete loss.

“CMU placed its property insurer on notice of the claim the same day of the incident,” Trionfi said. “CMU’s insurer then assigned an adjuster, forensic engineers and other experts to inspect the site, not only to assist CMU in the recovery process but also to determine the origin and cause of the incident.”

Although an estimate of damages done has yet to be compiled, CMU’s property insurer will provide coverage beyond its $50,000 insurance deductible, Trionfi said.

Drywall, ceiling tile and carpet were damaged from the water leak.

“There’s a supply chain,” said David Burdette, vice president of finance and administrative services. “Those insurance agents are trying to figure out how it happened and why it happened.”

Wilcox Professional Services, an engineering firm, made errors in the original renovations in August 2008, including installation of underground water pipes and air conditioning ducts.

“There are no connections as of yet,” Burdette said. “At the end of the day, you’re trying to affix blame.”

Burdette said this type of project takes time and the university has to protect its interests.

“We can’t begin the renovations and clean up until insurance agents have assessed damages,” he said.

One seems to be demand for tacos.

The Mount Pleasant Planning Commission granted a special use permit to the WT Development Corporation to redesign Taco Bell on Thursday.

The improvements include expanding the drive-through to hold 10 cars instead of eight, to avoid vehicles stacking up, and more than doubling the restaurant
seating from 40 to 97 seats.

70 percent of business comes by the drive-through, said Bill Beckett, a representative of WT Development Corporation.

The current 1201 S. Mission St. location spans 1,600 square feet and will encompass 3,600 after construction.

“Overall I think you’ll find the site very attractive,” Beckett said.

Beckett said the building would have a nice presence of glass; all four walls will be brick, good window usage, bike storage, decorative fencing and a patio area.

He said the Taco Bell would remain open during its redesign.

He also said the area for the sign will be reduced from 30 to 21 feet.

Beckett raised another issue of concern:  Taco Bell’s current property contains a weeping cherry tree that is exceptionally rare in Michigan.

He said with the elimination of two parking spots, the rare plant could be transported to a different site during construction and studied by science
classes.

Commissioner Shaun Holtgreive raised issues about whether or not the restaurant’s redesign will raise issues will parking within a year.

“I don’t have a concern about parking,” said Jeff Gray, director of planning and community development.

Planning chairman Peter Orlik said the improvements would benefit the community.

Concerns about additional housing

The Planning Commission also hosted a public hearing about the Wellman Group’s request for a special use permit to convert its 400 and 402 S. University property from a space for offices to a residential duplex.

Several University Street residents spoke out against the permit because they fear the property will eventually be rented out to college students.

Sherm Rowley, the funeral director at Helms Funeral Home, 330 S. University Ave., also opposed the property’s conversion.

Helms Funeral Home is across the street from the property.

Rowley said if customers visit to grieve a loved one’s death they will not want to see a dirty college house.

Traffic projects include the completion of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s US-127 redesign from last year and the addition of a mini circle on Arnold Street, as well as renovations of Bellows Street.

Isabella County and Mount Pleasant will reconstruct and resurface roads, including portions of Isabella Road, Michigan and Broomfield streets.

City

Asphalt overlays and sewer relining dominate city road construction projects this summer, with little disruption to traffic, said Public Works Director Duane Ellis.

These projects already began, Ellis said, and usually take one work day to complete.

“These are major (for the city), but not a big travel impact,” Ellis said.

The city will reconstruct Michigan Street from Fancher to Mission, focusing on narrowing lanes and adding bike lanes.

Michigan Street will have bump-out parking by next school year, Ellis said.

The city will bid the Michigan Street project May 7, he said.

Bellows Street will receive reconstruction from Mission Street to Lansing Street, Ellis said, and the city will add a mini-circle at Arnold Street.

“We’re bidding this as a separate project (from the downtown-to-campus connector),” Ellis said. “This has a fair impact on university operations, the city and students.”

County

Isabella County’s focus this summer is on reconstruction, said Managing Director Tony Casali.

Mission Road from Milllbrook to Deerfield roads in Union Township will receive a new overlay, he said.

“There are a couple of bad spots we have to work out in there,” Casali said.

An additional left-turn lane will be added at the intersection of Pickard Street and Isabella Road, he said, as well as shoulder widening on Isabella Road.

The county receives requests from 16 townships, Casali said.

“We still will have other projects as they trickle in,” he said.

MDOT

Several projects occur this summer through MDOT’s Mount Pleasant Transportation Service Center, said Manager Terry Palmer.

Along with the completion of last year’s US-127 venture, the branch will tackle a section of the highway from North of Mount Pleasant to Clare, he said.

A section of M-20 in Midland County also is receiving resurfacing work that began Monday according to MDOT’s website.

The Mount Pleasant TSC covers work in Isabella, Midland, Clare, Gladwin and Gratiot counties.

Further projects will happen this summer as well, Palmer said.

“It’s a good average (of work) for five county areas,” he said. “It’s probably $30 million worth of work this year.”

The parking lot will reopen Wednesday, said Linda Slater, director of Plant Engineering and Planning.

Since Jan. 7, construction has been ongoing on chilled water lines around the entrance to Lot 45 near the three residence halls. Events Center construction workers tapped into the chilled water supply to tie in return lines to the facility.

“These lines are needed to support air conditioning in the Events Center,” Slater said.

The construction caused minor complications for students who use the parking lot. Its entrance is torn apart and the lot is being used to store construction equipment.

“It’s packed now,” said Richard Hayes, an Illinois sophomore. “It all started during (holiday) break, just before we came back.”

Students housed in Beddow, Sweeney, Thorpe and Merrill were notified through e-mail Jan. 6, one day before construction started, Slater said. According to the e-mail, students will not receive any reimbursement for parking passes this semester, which cost $150 for a full year.

Armada junior Sheri Lewis would normally park in Lot 45, but has found ways around the problem.

“They e-mailed us 3 or 4 days before we moved in,” she said. “It’s supposed to last 2-3 weeks but, for now, we can park in Merrill.”

The students were told to use Lot 44 between Merrill and Beddow halls or to park in Lots 63 and 64 — normally designated for freshmen near Kelly/Shorts Stadium — and use Safe Rides to get back to the residence halls.

Lewis said she has received a parking ticket in Merrill’s lot.

“I ended up parking on one of the end caps,” she said, noting that she lost an appeal for the ticket, despite the construction. “It looked like a parking spot.”

Slater said any minor additional work impacting the parking lot will be completed during CMU’s spring break.

According to a University Communications press release, 80 trees will be removed, 22 relocated and 34 to remain in their existing location. An additional 80 trees will be planted around campus to compensate for each removed tree.

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of facilities management, said workers will complete the project in phases. The Rose Arena renovations are to be completed by October 2010, the practice gym and wrestling room by December 2010 and the renovations for the Student Activity Center area by February 2011. 

Once construction of the Events Center is complete, new sidewalks in the area will accompany 49 new trees, 34 shrubs and 16,357 perennial flowers.

“It will have a totally new appearance,” Lawrence said. “New sidewalks will be installed because of the change in ground elevation and alignment to the new lobby entrance.”

Annoying, but needed

The fence surrounding the construction area has received mixed reviews from students, even though it will be surrounding Rose Arena for more a year until the construction is complete.

“The fence was annoying the first few times when I had to go around, but it’s good that it’s there,” said Manistee junior John Phillips. “It’s only in the way if I forget about it and take the crosswalk with the light instead of planning to take the other route ahead of time.”

Phillips said the fence is a needed safety precaution and is a necessary evil that comes with construction.

“The fence is a minor irritation, but isn’t construction always annoying?” he said. “In the end, things will look good and we’ll be glad we put up with it.”

Jackson sophomore Kelsey Miller said even though she heard the fence has made some people late for classes, the updates will be a good addition for campus.

“The fence is a little bit of a nuisance, and is not pretty to look at, but it just foreshadows what is to come for Rose, and that is exciting,” Miller said. “I think the renovations definitely need to be done. A lot of things on campus have been renovated and modernized and, with Rose being so small, it needs to match all the other updates on campus.”