Laurium, Michigan Opens $3.5M DPW Building 2 Years After Fire Destroyed Former Facility

Source: Upper Michigan's Source ↗

A $3.5 million, 15,000-square-foot Department of Public Works building opened in Laurium, Michigan, nearly two years after a fire destroyed the village’s former facility.

The new building includes a heated working area and a cold storage section for winter vehicles. The recreation department is also housed in the building. Construction began less than a year before the opening, with Moyle Construction serving as the general contractor.

Moyle Construction also helped the village navigate its insurance claim after the fire. The initial settlement offers came in at $1.6 million to $1.7 million. “So, we jumped right in with both feet, and we worked with his insurance.” Moyle Construction Vice President Andrew Kemper said. “To get the full, equitable value of this facility, which is about $3.5 million. I think really that was the most important part of this project, to get that thing started, so that our team can build them the right facility here.”

The fire destroyed the former building and several vehicles. Investigators identified a dump truck inside the building as the likely ignition source but did not confirm a cause. During the intervening two winters, neighboring agencies and community members loaned vehicles, equipment and space to keep the department operating.

Village Manager Ian Lewis said he could not be happier for the public works crew and the community, adding that the staff waited a year and a half for the building to be completed. John Galbraith, the village’s Department of Public Works committee chair, said the situation turned out to be a blessing in disguise. “We’ve already got one leg up on being ready for this winter, whatever the winter decides to throw at us,” Galbraith said.