CSM Group

Finished work for Life EMS

Posted by: CSM Group | Sep, 23rd

Project: Life EMS

Life EMS Ambulance personnel, local officials and CSM Group broke ground on a $2 million, LEED certified, central support facility in the heart of the city's north side at 517 E. North St. The construction will consist of a complete renovation of the existing ambulance dispatch facility offices and training center as well as a new 14,000 sf addition to the existing building for new office space, restrooms, training area, all new ambulance dispatch garage and maintenance area with new hydraulic service lifts with a 2nd story mechanical mezzanine. The addition is constructed from structural pre-cast concrete tilt-up panels. The project also includes all new MEP and fire suppression infrastructure systems throughout the building as well as a new roofing system. All new site work and site improvements will encompass the entire property footprint. This is a LEED project and all project aspects and components that are required for the desired credits are being tracked and documented for this certification.   All construction and renovation on the existing facility will be taking place around the "live" and in use T1 phone line and power system which is the key component to all of Life EMS incoming emergency calls to the call center and dispatch location. This line feeds the temporary relocated location at the old Rose Street fire station #4 which was renovated in anticipation of this relocation and construction project by CSM. Life EMS Ambulance, with over 29 years of service, was the first ambulance service in Western Michigan -- and among the first in the U.S. - to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, the gold standard in the EMS industry. "This new facility will help us better serve this area and will become a key hub of the many critical services we provide to Kalamazoo, Portage and other areas of southwest Michigan that most recently includes our operations in Allegan County." - Mark Meijer, Life EMS President

The Upjohn Headquarters Building Completed

Posted by: CSM Group | Sep, 23rd

Project: The Upjohn Headquarters Building

After serving people in the healthcare industry for over 70 years, the legendary Upjohn headquarters building on Henrietta Street in downtown Kalamazoo received a little TLC itself. Built in the mid-1930s, the building was the original home of the Upjohn Company; the name was a prominent one in Kalamazoo. The Upjohn family was a fixture in the community, and played a large role in its development. The building was designed by legendary architect Albert Kahn, a close personal friend of Henry Ford. Kahn's firm designed all of Ford's offices, and more than likely many of the company's factories, as well.  Over the years, business mergers and changes caused the building to be owned by Pharmacia, then Pfizer, who in 2005 donated it to Bronson. Dormant for several years, the building was sound structurally but had an infrastructure that was not in functional condition. All new systems had to be installed, including mechanical, electrical, sewer, gas, and more. And none of that work could begin until asbestos abatement effort was completed. To incorporate fiber optics and other elements of today's critical systems, behind-the-wall channels had to be enlarged. Floor-to ceiling notches had to be cut in some plaster walls in order to replace old utility service or to extend it to areas where it hadn't previously been. The building's elevator also needed replacement. The restored Upjohn headquarters building is a welcome sight to all in the Kalamazoo area. Its new usefulness and vitality will come in a warmly familiar package.    

Battle Creek Health System Cancer Care Finished

Posted by: CSM Group | Sep, 23rd

Project: Battle Creek Health System Cancer Care

The Cancer Care addition was completed and opened for public use in November 2007. The innovative space gives new life to the Cancer Care staff and patients, after they spent five months in a temporary space.  As you walk into the entrance of the Cancer Care you are over taken by the open layout and the use of natural light in the space.  The water features, skylights and color combinations give off a healing and soothing environment.  The bed treatment area houses six beds which are located in private rooms. The chair treatment area has a total of fourteen patient chairs.  The new facility also houses an onsite pharmacy, staff lounge, nurses station and a reception area. Located within the lobby area is a beautiful water fountain and a large planter.  These combined with the unique ceiling make this area very relaxing for the patients.  On the west side of the building are the cam rooms, radiation oncology storage, lab draw area, resource library and multi purpose conference room. The existing Cancer Care Unit also recieved a make-over with new flooring, paint, and handrails.  This space is truly a magnificent addition to Battle Creek Health System and the community.