An agreement for a land transfer from the City of Detroit to Ilitch Holdings Inc., that enabled construction of a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings requires that 51% of the project’s construction workers must come from the city. That stipulation is creating a challenge for Ilitch, the owner of the Red Wings, due to a shortage of skilled tradespeople who live in the city.
Construction firms that fall short of the hiring goal can still work on the project, but must pay a fee or offer free training and provide instructors and equipment. Many construction workers move out of the city after they acquire skills to earn a better wage. Detroit’s mayor is considering offering low-interest loans on city-owned houses to try to retain construction workers.
The arena construction will create an estimated 5,500 jobs with nearly 2,800 of those workers needing to come from Detroit. The project could become a training ground for tradespeople who will be needed on other major projects in the area including blight removal, the M-1 rail project, and the planned New International Trade Crossing bridge that will span the river between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Even if the local hiring requirement weren’t in effect, the arena project would be hard pressed to find enough laborers, carpenters, electricians, pipe fitters and other trades, with the region experiencing a labor shortage due to an aging workforce.
(http://win-semich.org/challenges-loom-to-fill-2800-construction-jobs-in-detroit/)
Related Stories
Data Centers | Sep 19, 2016
New ANSI/ASHRAE data center standard is performance-based, more flexible
The aim of the standard was to ‘not stifle innovation.’
Codes and Standards | Sep 16, 2016
Calm weather tidal flooding impacting several communities on East and Gulf Coasts
Local officials face the prospect of costly mitigation projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2016
OSHA appoints new director for its construction directorate
The forty-year industry veteran has been a GC and business owner.
Energy | Sep 13, 2016
Oberlin College to hold conference on post-fossil fuel economy
The gathering will address climate change and new sources of energy.
Industry Research | Sep 12, 2016
Evidence linking classroom design to improved learning mounts
A study finds the impact can be as much as 25% per year.
Legislation | Sep 8, 2016
Half of U.S. states now allow design-build on public projects
Missouri is the latest to enact design-build legislation.
Codes and Standards | Sep 8, 2016
Vapor intrusion risk addressed in new ASTM guide update
The updates address industry confusion over how to handle the issue.
BIM and Information Technology | Sep 7, 2016
Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool updated to factor in waste management
The costs and benefits of managing 29 types of waste are now included.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Codes and Standards | Sep 1, 2016
Overuse of air conditioning hurts office productivity
A study found temperatures in the low 70s reduce worker performance.
