One phrase continues to describe construction of the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center since its January 2011 groundbreaking — “on time.”
Scheduled to open in summer 2013, punctual completion of the project is key because Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. (MMPI) has already begun booking conventions and tradeshows, and tenants have already committed to moving into the Medical Mart, says Dave Johnson, project director of public relations.
Project Executive Marty Burgwinkle of Turner Construction Co. is confident the 36-month, $465 million construction venture will continue to hit all milestones as planned.
“Their goal is our goal: let’s just get this done,” Burgwinkle says. “Let’s get it done on time, let’s stay within the budget and let’s have a quality facility. All those goals are what we work on every day to make happen.”
Now 45 percent complete, Turner has achieved several construction milestones since the last Smart Business update:
1) The Feb. 1 “topping out” of the Medical Mart building, marking the placement of the final steel beam.
2) Completion of all trade purchases, meaning the job is now 100 percent bought out.
3) The start of the structural steel erection south of Lakeside Drive.
4) Completion of the site work alongside Public Auditorium on East Mall Drive, which needed to be completed by April 1 for the coming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum induction ceremonies.
“Our intent is that we’re going to hit all these milestones every time up until the completion in summer of 2013, stay within budget for the county, and the taxpayers are going to get what they asked for,” Burgwinkle says.
For more information: Executives from Turner and MMPI gave Smart Business an exclusive video interview to discuss the work that’s propelling the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center project to new heights:
Watch: “Ready to rock for Rock Hall Induction ceremonies: Public Auditorium update, Cleveland MMCC”
Watch: “What do you do with 11,800 tons of steel? Steel update, Cleveland MMCC”
Also, be sure to check out the Cleveland MMCC live webcam.
How to reach: The Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center, www.ClevelandMedicalMart.com
Turner Construction Co., Cleveland: www.TurnerConstruction.com/Cleveland
