Groundbreaking Takes Place for Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center

The start of 2011 brought some exciting construction projects to Northeast Ohio and Independence Excavating kicked off the new year at the new Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center project in downtown Cleveland. Independence Excavating was awarded the project by Turner Construction in the closing hours of 2010 to commence the project immediately.

Our scope for the project includes the demolition of the existing convention center in Malls B and C, demolition of five buildings in the block of Ontario St. and St. Clair Ave., the earthwork and utilities for the new Medical Mart facility, and dewatering the existing water table on the site for construction.

The project began with a massive mobilization in the early morning hours of Monday, January 3. Our forces descended on Malls B and C immediately after access was granted to the site to begin construction. With the extensive planning of our field managers, dispatch team, and heavy and support shops, Independence Excavating stormed the site under darkness to begin dismantling the site and attacking the aggressive schedule to clear the site for the new facility. We followed Precision Environmental Co. and cleared areas of asbestos. Then, we demolished the massive structure to 45 feet below street level in preparation for the foundation and concrete contractors.

Since the existing facility extends beneath Lakeside Ave. between Malls B and C, Independence Excavating will coordinate with the construction team to temporarily support Lakeside Ave. while demolition and construction of the new facility occur beneath it. Bracing of the existing roadway will be done using massive girders salvaged from the site and will ensure no interruption to the Lakeside Ave. traffic during the project.

Another key component of the project is extending the new facility to the south and west to within feet of the St. Clair Ave. curb, and to the west into the existing block of buildings. The new structure will extend 40 feet below grade, right against the existing street level.

As part of our project, Independence Excavating is coordinating with many local small business enterprises to perform various aspects of the work such as, interior demolition, demolition of the west block buildings, and security. We are also coordinating with various local suppliers. We are working to ensure that this project is a boost to both the Cleveland landscape and to individuals and businesses within the community. This project is under many watchful eyes within the community, Cuyahoga County, and Turner Construction's 9th floor corner offices across the street, which literally overlook the entire site.

Our skilled and dedicated field forces are working tireless hours and will have the main hole opened up in the Mall within a few months for the next phase of subcontractors to begin building construction. We will bring the water table down this spring to complete the excavation and complete the utilities and remaining foundation excavation this summer. As the project proceeds over the next couple years, Independence Excavating will be excited to have been one of the first on site to prepare and contribute to giving Northeast Ohio a brand new state-of-the-art facility.