Barton Malow-Hunt-White, a member of multiple AGC chapters, recently announced it has been selected as the general contractor for new Detroit events center. The City of Detroit Downtown Development Authority Board (DDA) approved the recommendation by Olympia Development of Michigan (ODM) at their board meeting on April 9.

Barton Malow-Hunt-White is an industry leader in sports and entertainment construction.  Notable projects by team members include Ford Field, Comerica Park, the expansion and renovation of The University of Michigan Football Stadium, Detroit Riverfront, Detroit Medical Center Pediatric Specialty Center and Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla.

"We are thrilled and honored to be selected as the construction team to build the new events center right here in Detroit," said Ryan Maibach, president, Barton Malow-Hunt-White.  "This project will be locally sourced and have a significant economic impact on our community.   It is a core component of Detroit’s revitalization strategy and we are proud to lead the efforts of the many Detroit workers and businesses that will play a major role in building this state-of-the-art events center."

Barton Malow-Hunt-White was chosen because of its sports and entertainment construction experience, unsurpassed construction management leadership, and demonstrated commitment to working with the local community. 

As part of the construction, Barton Malow-Hunt-White will implement the workforce and business participation plan.  The comprehensive plan was created by ODM, with input from the City of Detroit Ethics and Human Rights Office, Detroit Employment Solutions, and the local construction trade unions.  Included in the plan are outreach, training and apprentice programs to ready the current and future work force of Detroit for construction job opportunities. The construction of the entire events center, residential and commercial mixed-use district will create approximately 8,300 jobs and $290 million in job-related income. The building of the new events center alone is anticipated to create approximately 5,500 jobs with more than half of those construction jobs being filled by Detroit residents and over $100 million being paid to Detroit-resident workers.

The new Detroit events center is the anchor of the $650 million public-private catalyst development project that includes a $200 million investment by ODM to redevelop an underutilized area in downtown Detroit into a mixed-use development of residential, retail and office space. Of the project costs, ODM will contribute $367 million or 56 percent and the State of Michigan and the DDA will contribute $283 million or 44 percent. It is expected that the project’s economic impact on Detroit, the region and state will be $1.8 billion. 

Barton Malow-Hunt-White is a joint venture between Barton Malow Company, Hunt Construction Group and White Construction. Both Barton Malow and Hunt are considered the premiere sports and entertainment builders in North America. Crain’s Detroit Business ranks White Construction as one of the largest African American Owned Businesses. With over 185 years of combined experience, we provide innovative solutions to projects of any complexity to our clients. With like-minded cultures, Barton Malow-Hunt-White exhibits a commitment and vision for the growth of the region and the City of Detroit.