Contractors working on the $863 million Little Caesars Arena in Detroit have paid $5.2 million in fines to the city for failing to meet the local worker requirement.
Contractors fell short of the mandate requiring at least 51% of workers on the new hockey arena be Detroit residents. Of nearly 3 million hours worked on the project, Detroit residents worked just 25% of the total.
That is less than half of what is required for projects that receive brownfield tax abatements or for where developers are able to purchase city land for below-market prices. Local participation was lowest in skilled trade positions including steel work, electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.
The fines will fund construction training programs, but some contractors can avoid fines if they hire from plumbing and carpentry unions that set aside 25% of their first-year apprentice positions for Detroit residents.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2021
Latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices criticized for not considering bikes, pedestrians
More than a dozen advocacy groups want feds to start over.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2021
LEED-certified federal buildings don’t use less energy than average
May be due to trade-offs on how score is developed.
Codes and Standards | May 12, 2021
White paper examines how to reduce pathogen transmission in ventilation
Pressure barriers and airflow distribution can be effective in existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Pressure builds on White House to rein in cost of lumber
Spike in prices has added nearly $36,000 to price of average new home.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Residential codes should be upgraded to protect from cooking pollutants
Report examines ventilation standards, calls for increased public awareness of issue.
Codes and Standards | May 6, 2021
Blue roofs can provide relief to overwhelmed stormwater systems
Benefits most evident in industrial commercial areas.
Codes and Standards | May 5, 2021
Majority of schools took steps to improve air quality during pandemic
Districts still have unmet needs, face high costs and outdated building infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | May 4, 2021
Cost to keep Miami dry over next few decades is $4 billion
Rising seas demand big investment.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2021
Fire stops critical to preserving three-decker housing
Old multi-family structures continue to provide badly needed homes in urban zones.
Codes and Standards | Apr 29, 2021
Dept. of Energy publishes energy savings analysis for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019
More than 4% savings for commercial buildings found for the updated code.
