The challenge
The Dennos Museum Center is affiliated with and located on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) in Traverse City, Mich. The museum offers the community access to unique, engaging collections of art, exhibitions, and programs in the visual arts, sciences, and performing arts.
In 2015, NMC decided to renovate the Dennos Museum Center with an 11,000-square-foot addition and upgrades to the site. These renovations would provide greater flexibility for exhibits and more space for a green room and classrooms adjacent to the museum’s Milliken Auditorium. Renovation of the loading dock would enhance its functional use, and upgrades to the mechanical system would boost the building’s mechanical efficiency while improving temperature regulation and cost management.
To complete the project successfully, NMC required an experienced advisor with strong design and construction knowledge to guide its internal staff through the process without undue impact to the museum’s operations.
The solution
NMC engaged Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR), formerly Plante Moran Cresa, as owner’s representative to help the college monitor the overall budget and schedule for the $5 million in addition and renovations.
Plante Moran Realpoint provided NMC with a high level of expertise, deep design and construction knowledge, and strong resources to do the following throughout the two-year project:
- Coordinate around museum operations, exhibits, and events while under construction
- Provide solutions to logistical challenges concerning construction staging, parking, and museum operations
- Overcome challenges related to “as-built” conditions and above-ceiling coordination
- Expand the scope and functionality in the most cost-effective way possible
The benefit
Because of collaboration with the architect/engineer, construction manager, and NMC stakeholders, Plante Moran Realpoint brought the project to a successful completion in the fall of 2017.
In addition to completing the project on budget and on schedule, our team helped the college make value-based decisions that positively affect the long-term cost of ownership.
