Coolidge School Renovation Earns the Nod
Siwek Construction is proud to officially accept the 2021 Michigan Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation. The award honors projects that transform “underutilized historic structures into vital economic assets.” (per MEDC)
Siwek earned the award for our role as General Contractor and Design/Builder for the Calvin Coolidge School renovation project in Flint, Michigan. Working with the developer, Communities First, Siwek leveraged our design/build and contracting expertise to realize the developer’s vision of transforming the historic West-Side school into mixed-income apartments. The transformation preserved the historical culture of the site and simultaneously served a desperate need for updated, affordable housing in the underserved area.
Another Historic Reno, Another Siwek Award
The Coolidge project was the latest in a series of partnerships with Communities First as project owner. Siwek’s previous design/builds with the non-profit, the Swayze Court Apartments and Oak Street Apartments projects, both earned accolades including the AGC Build Michigan awards. The Coolidge School project was the largest scale undertaking yet amongst the trio of renovations. Siwek project manager Terry Mayberry worked closely with Communities First, Asselin, Mclane Architectural Group, MSHDA, Enterprise Green Communities, and the contracted subcontractors to complete the project on-time at the best possible cost. Terry’s work was invaluable on a project like Coolidge, where granted dollars make up a large portion of the financing. With numerous agencies involved, standards need to be met regarding everything from construction type, subcontractor mix, energy efficiency, and the preservation of the buildings’ historical character.
Siwek - Proud to Help Build Flint.
Siwek is proud to have another landmark historical renovation under our belt. We value the role we’ve had in reinvigorating and preserving Flint. This project, much like our past projects in the city, transformed an underutilized space into a cornerstone asset in a core Flint Neighborhood. We’re proud to have been recognized by the 2021 Governor’s Award as a result, and we’re excited for our ongoing work on other projects in the area.