Sunday, April 24, 2005

The nine-story, 1,825-space deck, shown at right in this artist's rendering, will be built at the corner of I-375 and Congress.

The Blues plan $40 million renovation

Downtown campus will get landscaping, a parking garage and a revamped fountain.

By R.J. King / The Detroit News

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DETROIT -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan plans to spend up to $40 million to renovate its downtown campus headquarters, including the construction of a large parking structure that will be topped by a running track and plants that will help soak up storm water to extend the structure's life.

A large outdoor plaza at the center of the 13.7-acre campus at Interstate 375 and East Lafayette will be renovated as well by removing concrete pavers and sitting walls and making it barrier-free for the first time. New landscaping and a refurbished fountain will be added to the public area.

"We want to set an example on how employers can promote healthy, active lifestyles among their work forces," said George Francis, senior vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield, the state's leading health insurer.

The campus, developed in 1969, now houses close to 2,500 employees within an office tower and neighboring structures. An aging parking deck built in 1970 needs to be replaced with a larger structure to accommodate about 800 workers who now park nearby, said Ray Warner, Blue Cross' director of facilities management.

"The concept of putting plants on the roof will extend the lifespan of the deck to more than 40 years," Warner said. A traditional parking deck in Michigan lasts about 30.

The new, nine-story, 1,825-space deck will be built at the northwest corner of I-375 and Congress. Once completed next year, Blue Cross plans to tear down the deck at Beaubien and Congress.

Joel Smith, principal of Neumann/Smith & Associates in Southfield, which is designing the campus improvements, said the renovated plaza will resemble an amphitheater.

"When completed, the plaza will be barrier-free for the first time," he said.

You can reach R.J. King at (313) 222-2504 or rjking@detnews.com.