Designing the future at American Axle & Manufacturing

Kirco Manix Construction LLC recently delivered 350,000 square feet of construction for American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., Detroit. American Axle & Manufacturing enlisted the construction services of the Troy-based firm to convert one of its vacant former manufacturing facilities into a…Read More


G2 Consulting Group is Part of Award Winning Downtown Fenton Streetscape Team

G2 Consulting Group, a nationally recognized Troy, Michigan-based geotechnical environmental and construction engineering services firm, is part of the construction team that earned two separate industry awards for the Downtown Fenton Streetscape and Road Reconstruction project.

Downtown Fenton retains much of its historical charm while offering modern shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences. The city was looking to improve portions of its streetscape and hired Champagne & Marx as general contractor and OHM Advisors as project engineer.

G2 Consulting managed all aspects of geotechnical exploration during the design phase of the project and provided quality assurance materials testing during project construction. Eastlund Concrete Construction performed the site concrete work and Modern Concrete provided the concrete materials.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) SE Michigan branch named the project the “James F. Bliskey, P.E. Quality of Life Project of the Year” winner at its annual meeting. Also, the Michigan Concrete Association recognized the team in its “Municipal Flatwork” category with an award during its annual meeting.

In both cases, the significant enhancements to the downtown area, including work on the water mains, sanitary and storm sewer, roadway pavement and sidewalks, now fully ADA compliant, were noted as exceptional. As a result, there is an improved quality of life for residents and visitors to Fenton. It’s hoped that the improvements will encourage more development in adjacent neighborhoods.


G2’s Third Year in Ann Arbor Brings New Office, New Hires and New Projects

Three years after opening its Ann Arbor office, G2 Consulting Group has completed work on more than 150 public and private geotechnical projects, quadrupled its employee count and is nearly tripling its office space including expanding its full…[Read More]


G2 Consulting to Double Office Space, Add Staff in Ann Arbor

Three years after establishing its Ann Arbor office, Troy-based geotechnical engineering services firm G2 Consulting Group is doubling its space here and adding staff.

The geotechnical, geoenvironmental, and construction engineering services firm’s work revolves primarily around testing soil, rock, and groundwater for building projects and developing solutions to the challenges the resulting data may present. G2 will move from a 2,700-square-foot space at 1590 Eisenhower Place to a 7,900-square-foot space at 1350 Eisenhower Place at the end of April.

“We’re at a point in our old office that, even if we wanted to hire another engineer, technician, or scientist, we don’t have a desk or chair to put them in,” says Jason Stoops, the firm’s Ann Arbor office manager. “We talked about whether we wanted to stay the same size and service the clients we’re already working for or try to expand our client base. But if we want to expand, we need staff to do that.”

Stoops says the new location has more space than the Ann Arbor office currently needs. However, the office is expecting to add at least four new staff members and warehouse some equipment on site, allowing Ann Arbor to be more of a full-service engineering firm instead of just a satellite office to the Troy headquarters.

G2 has worked on several major projects since opening in Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor office’s first big project was the Arbor Hills shopping center on Washtenaw Avenue. The firm has since worked on Bank of Ann Arbor’s headquarters renovation and the downtown Ann Arbor Residence Inn by Marriott.

Although the firm is headquartered just an hour’s drive away, Stoops says G2 has worked hard to engage with the Ann Arbor community. A May open house for the new facility will feature Arbor Brewing Co. beverages and Zingerman’s food.

“We’re trying to create the feel that we’re culturally in step with Ann Arbor,” Stoops says.

Stoops raises the possibility that another three years might bring more exciting news for G2. The firm is currently considering opening another office in Ohio or western Michigan.

“We’re hoping to take the success of our Ann Arbor office to other markets,” Stoops says.


Downtown Fenton Streetscape and Road Reconstruction Project Wins Awards

G2 Consulting Group, a nationally recognized Troy, Michigan-based geotechnical environmental and construction engineering services firm, is part of the construction team that earned two separate industry awards for the Downtown Fenton Streetscape and Road Reconstruction project.

Downtown Fenton retains much of its historical charm while offering modern shopping, dining and lifestyle experiences. The city was looking to improve portions of its streetscape and hired Champagne & Marx as general contractor and OHM Advisors as project engineer.

G2 Consulting managed all aspects of geotechnical exploration during the design phase of the project and provided quality assurance materials testing during project construction. Eastlund Concrete Construction performed the site concrete work and Modern Concrete provided the concrete materials.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) SE Michigan branch named the project the “James F. Bliskey, P.E. Quality of Life Project of the Year” winner at its annual meeting. Also, the Michigan Concrete Association recognized the team in its “Municipal Flatwork” category with an award during its annual meeting.

In both cases, the significant enhancements to the downtown area, including work on the water mains, sanitary and storm sewer, roadway pavement and sidewalks, now fully ADA compliant, were noted as exceptional. As a result, there is an improved quality of life for residents and visitors to Fenton. It’s hoped that the improvements will encourage more development in adjacent neighborhoods.

“At G2 Consulting Group, our mantra is Smart. Results. Fast.,” said Jim Berry, project manager. “These two awards are a nice tribute to the collaborative nature of the project and our ability to help the City of Fenton continue to enhance its vibrant downtown area.” Berry noted that G2 Consulting has been involved in several urban redevelopment projects for local municipal clients, including the cities of Birmingham, Auburn Hills and Southfield.


G2 Earns MDOT “as needed” Contract Renewal

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has named G2 Consulting Group, a nationally recognized Troy-based geotechnical, environmental and construction services firm, as one of its pre-approved engineering teams through a two-year “as-needed” indefinite services contract for state-wide projects.

“Year in and year out, MDOT tackles many of the largest and most complex engineering projects imaginable,” said Mark Smolinski, one of the G2 Consulting principals. “So, we take our opportunities to work alongside MDOT very seriously and believe that earning our second consecutive state-wide contract is a reflection of the results we deliver.”

G2’s recent efforts with MDOT include the M-20 replacement bridge over the Tittabawassee River in Midland. “The M-20 bridge carries a heavy load of daily traffic over a river and a former rail line converted into a nature trail. In order to maintain traffic as long as possible, numerous foundation types were evaluated that would allow partial construction of foundations before traffic closures were required. G2’s role relates to understanding those geotechnical and environmental factors in support of the bridge construction plan,” said Dave Wanlass, G2’s project manager.

In the recent past, G2 has partnered with MDOT on many notable projects including; I-75/University interchange, I-94/I-69 interchange in St. Claire County, I-94/Cadillac bridge and the I-96 Reconstruction to name just a few.

Road reconstruction and infrastructure improvements continue to be a top priority for Michigan state officials. In addition to providing a more efficient and safer transportation network, the state sees economic opportunities in growing Michigan’s role as a logistics center.

“We have the know-how and capability to bring added value to road design and construction,” said Smolinski. “With all the infrastructure work being done in Michigan these days, our goal is always to deliver on our promise of Smart. Results. Fast. This new contract will hopefully bring even more opportunities to do just that.”

G2 is licensed to work in over 35 states and has completed thousands of public and private projects, including commercial, industrial, transportation, telecommunications and civil infrastructure developments over its two decades in business.


G2 and Partners Provide 2017 Construction Outlook for Public Sector Projects

After years of debate, in late 2015 Governor Snyder and the Michigan legislature passed a road funding bill to address the state’s crumbling roads, bridges and infrastructure. Included in that bill is…[Read More]


$9 million renovation of Country Club of Detroit’s Clubhouse Nearly Complete

The country club where the late Arnold Palmer had what he called the turning point in his legendary golf career is at a turning point of its own.

The Country Club of Detroit, on 212 acres in Grosse Pointe Farms, is scheduled soon to complete a $9 million renovation of its Tudor Revival-style clubhouse to add a fitness center and move bowling lanes to the bottom level of the building.

Palmer, who died Sept. 25, took his first step toward golf greatness on the club’s 18-hole course with a 1954 U.S. Amateur victory at the 119-year-old club, which says its construction efforts are designed to provide year-round amenities to its 800-plus members who are paying about $100 per month extra in dues to pay for the construction.

“Country clubs generally concentrate on the 100 days of summer we have in Michigan, but you have to offer more,” said Craig Cutler, general manager and COO of the club. “This helps us with a year-round operation. We don’t close anymore.”

The projects add a modern fitness center to the clubhouse’s ground level to replace an emptied indoor swimming pool that had been closed since the early 1930s. Completion is expected next month.

A six-lane bowling alley, expected to be complete this month, is being added to the bottom level.

Work began on the two projects about a year ago.

Troy-based G2 Consulting Group provided engineering services for the project. The club required that the footprint or historical architecture of its existing clubhouse — which is actually the fourth in club history — not be altered.

Excavation was done under the building so the foundation could be lowered to make room for higher ceilings and larger interior spaces. To accomplish that without disturbing the footprint, the building was put on stilts, according to Mark Stapleton, G2’s project manager.

Concrete was then poured to encapsulate the stilts, which provided stability for the renovations without disruption to the structure; the new foundation walls will also serve as long-term support.

In all, the building moved just 1/32 of an inch during the entire process.

Birmingham-based McIntosh Poris Associates was the architecture firm. Farmington Hills-based McCarthy & Smith Inc. is the general contractor, and West Bloomfield Township-based Desai/Nasr Consulting Engineers Inc. also provided engineering services.

The casual dining area and kitchen also have been renovated recently.


Brownfields: Strategies to Know

According to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a Brownfield is “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” Brownfield is a term frequently used in urban planning to describe land previously used for industrial purposes or some commercial uses. Such land may have been contaminated with hazardous…READ MORE.


G2 Consulting & Partners Provide 2016 Development Outlook for Southeast Michigan

Construction is on the march in metropolitan Detroit. It’s creating jobs and opportunities not only in the construction industry itself, but among construction equipment, material providers, and the countless businesses that benefit from improved infrastructure and better communities. One look at Woodward Avenue through Midtown and Downtown Detroit…[Read More]


Site Retaining Wall in Place at Detroit Events Center

Construction of a new area for the Detroit Red Wings in the District Detroit development has begun near downtown Detroit, and G2 Consulting Group is a part of the multitude of design and construction professionals contributing to this marquee project. The new arena will hold over 20,000 spectators, cost $627 million to construct and feature a unique, glass-roofed concourse connecting it to offices and shops surrounding it. The arena is a key part of the new, $1.2 billion District Detroit, a 50-block development in the heart of the city, with sports and entertainment venues and…Read More.


G2 featured in mergers, acquisitions, and new contracts across Metro-Detroit

Michigan Department of Transportation, Lansing, has renamed G2 Consulting Group, Troy, a geotechnical environmental and construction materials services firm, as part of its pre-approved engineering team through an “as-needed” services contract for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county projects… READ MORE.