Chippewa Nature Center
Visitor Center Construction
Renovation Phase II of II

See Phase I - Nature Preschool

Renovation Update

 


 

September 8, 2010

Carpet installation has begun
in the office corridor.



September 8, 2010

Looking from the gift shop
through the reception area.
The wood is a mix of site-
harvested black walnut and elm.

 

 

September 8, 2010

The new asphalt trail connector from the Visitor Center to the Chippewa Trail and River Trail is complete.
September 8, 2010

The asphalt is complete in the main parking lot.



September 8, 2010

The women’s restroom at the front of the building is complete! 

 

September 8, 2010


Looking across the front foyer
into the reception area.


August 30, 2010

White oak has been installed
in the atrium. This area will
become additional hands-on
exhibit space.



August 30, 2010

A mix of site harvested
black walnut and elm has been
installed at the naturalist station.


August 30, 2010

The new reception area
includes the addition of
black walnut wall covering.


August 26, 2010

The donor bricks have been installed in the front walkway.



August 24, 2010

The front entrance awning,
paver brick pathway and
airlock is almost complete.
The awning will be covered with
a standing seam metal roof
to match the pavilions.


August 24, 2010

Sinks and c
oncrete countertops
are being installed in the
new restrooms near the
front entrance of the building.


August 9, 2010

The interior of the skylight
has been covered with site-harvested White Pine.



August 9, 2010

A new rain garden
has been put in the area
between the Chippewa Trail
and the main parking lot.


July 26, 2010

The bus pavilion is complete.
The Chippewa Trail pavilion
will soon have a metal roof
installed, as well!
 


July 19, 2010

Brandle Roofing installs the standing seam metal roofing
on the pavilions.



July 19, 2010

The brickwork at the naturalist station is complete and the
drywall at the reception area
is ready for paint.


July 8, 2010

The interior of the atrium skylight has an arced ceiling to diffuse
and soften the natural light
coming in from the windows.


July 8, 2010

Work has started on the front entrance canopy. We’re also
adding an airlock to help with energy conservation.



July 6, 2010

The brick inlay at the
naturalist station desk is
nearing completion.


July 6, 2010

The septic tanks and drain field
are covered and now await
seeding with native plants.


June 28, 2010

Site harvested walnut covers
the concrete piers in the
River Overlook.



June 28, 2010

Each classroom has a different species of site-harvested lumber
on the ceiling. Updates include insulated walls, lighting
and new doors for direct access
to the outdoors.
 


June 28, 2010

The new restroom area near
the front door is getting
closer to completion.


June 25, 2010

The bus pavilion only needs
the standing seam roof installed
and it will be completed!



June 21, 2010

The steel studs and drywall
at the reception area and
naturalist station are installed. 


June 21, 2010

The bus pavilion construction is well underway with the support beam and rafter installation complete. 


June 16, 2010

Bluemer Contracting spreads shredded recycled tires as infill
on the septic drain field. 



June 14, 2010

The floor of the bus pavilion has been poured. Tomorrow work will begin on the structure itself.


June 14, 2010

Hatfield Construction is putting
the final touches on the bike pavilion today. Soon the standing seam roof will be installed and
the pavilion will be complete.


June 9, 2010

The new, more energy efficient, rooftop units were lifted
onto the roof today by
Answer Heating & Cooling.



June 8, 2010

Helger Construction is preparing
to pour the concrete slab
for the bus pavilion.


June 8, 2010

The new walls over the new hands-on exhibit area are going up. It should all be enclosed by the end of the day.


June 7, 2010

The skylight has been removed! The atrium area will soon be replaced with an insulated lid and windows on the north and south ends. This will improve the energy efficiency tremendously
 in this area.

June 7, 2010

Bluemer Contracting is making great headway in the parking lot area. This will be the new southern portion of the parking lot with the center bioswale to the left. 

June 2, 2010

The auditorium in the
Visitor Center is being renovated
into temporary exhibit space and
additional classroom space.



June 2, 2010

The walls are now insulated
and we’re putting a window in the
north end of the room
for natural light.

June 2, 2010

We’ve started renovating the
front entry, reception area and
naturalist station to better accommodate visitors
and large groups.

June 2, 2010

Construction on the
Chippewa Trail Pavilion continues
with the addition of support beams
and the beginning of the roof structure. This pavilion should be completed within a couple weeks.



May 25, 2010

The beams are up for the new
bike pavilion funded by the
Midland Area Community Foundation at the trailhead
of the Chippewa Trail.



May 24, 2010

The asphalt was pulverized today
to make way for the new entry,
exit and parking lot.


May 24, 2010

Hatfield Construction is finishing
the masonry opening to the
new public restroom and
coatroom area.


May 24, 2010

The pad of the new bike pavilion funded by the Midland Area Community Foundation
was poured today!



May 10, 2010


New Parking Lot Exit

Bluemer Contracting prepares
the new parking lot road bed.
This will provide a new one-way
exit out of the parking lot and
an area for bus parking.


May 10, 2010


Out with the Old

Helger Construction and Answer Heating & Cooling use a crane to remove the old roof-top units.


May 10, 2010


Chippewa Trail Pavillion

Work on the Chippewa Trail Pavilion has begun with asphalt removal and augering holes
for concrete piers.



April 26, 2010

…and the floor is done!



April 26, 2010

The new temporary exhibit area
floor is being poured.



April 26, 2010



April 23, 2010

Hatfield Construction begins
demolition of the library (shown
here) and office areas.



April 22, 2010

Hatfield Construction begins
demolition of the library (shown
here) and office areas.



April 22, 2010


Helger Construction continues
work on the new
temporary exhibit area.



April 22, 2010

Helger Construction continues
work on the new
temporary exhibit area.



April 21, 2010

Tree clearing has begun for the
new parking lot entry and exit.



April 21, 2010


Helger Construction begins work
on the existing auditorium.
The floor will soon be flat and
this room will serve as a
new classroom and
temporary exhibit space.



April 20, 2010

Construction is about to begin!
The round light down the main
corridor will be replaced with solar
tubes—essentially round skylights.



April 20, 2010

The Ecosystem Gallery will remain
intact. Here it’s being boarded up
to keep dust out.



April 20, 2010


Here is a last look at the entrance as it exists today.
Soon it will have an air lock
entry to save on energy loss
through the front doors.

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