Following the “Topping Out” ceremony recognizing the completion of steel erection on the Medical Mart on February 1, construction crews dismantled one of the cranes and completed the erection of the northeast showroom slabs last week and should complete the erection of the southeast showroom slabs shortly. Concrete for the slab-on-metal deck at the north half of Showroom Level 3 is scheduled for next week while reinforcing for the concrete floors is being placed on the south half of Showroom Level 3 with plans to make the concrete on the south half of Showroom Level 3 within the next several days.

On February 1, 2012, Turner Construction recognized the completion of steel erection on the Medical Mart by hosting a traditional “Topping Out” ceremony, hoisting the final steel beam to the top of the structure with a fir tree and an American flag affixed to the beam. “Topping Out” is an ancient European tradition symbolized by tying a fir tree to the top of a newly completed roof that has been long adopted by American steel workers on construction projects. “Topping Out” recognizes that the uppermost steel beam is in place and that the structure has reached its zenith with no loss of life. More than 200 on-site workers viewed the ceremony and were provided commemorative t-shirts at an onsite luncheon.

The visible and dramatic structural steel and metal deck erection at the Medical Mart continues with more than 40 ironworkers working in tandem with two large cranes lifting steel and metal decking from the east and west sides. The second and third of three sequences of truss members for the main atrium support system are scheduled to be hoisted into place later this week. Installation of metal decking and shear studs continues on numerous levels, as weather allows. The first Showroom Level concrete pour is also scheduled in the near future. Reinforcing for the concrete floors is being placed on the second half of Showroom Level 1 and the first half of Showroom Level 2.

The steel frame of the future Medical Mart continues to rise dramatically at the corner of St. Clair Avenue and Ontario Street, with crews already setting steel beams on the fourth level of the future structure. Structural steel and metal deck erection continues with two cranes working from the east and west sides, setting over 600 tons of steel with more than 40 ironworkers currently working on the Medical Mart steel erection. Two of the three sequences of truss members for the main atrium support system have arrived and are being assembled on the ground. The Medical Mart atrium trusses, measuring more than 200 feet long fully assembled, will be hoisted up in thirds beginning within the next week. Metal decking and shear studs are also progressing rapidly on multiple levels working toward conclusion in January 2012. Reinforcing for the concrete floors arrived earlier this week and the construction team will begin pouring the elevated floors next week.

On and under the future Mall C, wet weather has slightly hampered structural steel progress, but the construction team has completed the steel and 70% of the metal decking which becomes the support for the new Mall C. The team is continuing with masonry work at the north egress stairs. Under Lakeside Avenue, the team is installing rebar for the concrete column covering on the new columns supporting Lakeside Ave. Support framing along the south curb line is being erected in anticipation of the installation of winter weather enclosures as well.

The Medical Mart continues to rise above the ground in dramatic fashion as steel erection and detailing continues on multiple levels. Metal decking has also started right behind steel erection on several levels with the first level of the metal deck pour scheduled within the next several weeks. On the future Convention Center site, steel detailing and metal decking is within a few feet of completion along the East Concourse with crews pouring the last 15 feet this week.

On the Medical Mart site, the construction team reports that structural steel erection at the Medical Mart continues with two cranes from the East and West sides, working toward completion by the end of January, 2012. The construction team has completed installation of the 120-foot-long trusses forming the roof of the future ballroom north of Lakeside Avenue. Decking, detailing, and reinforcing installation continues on the future Mall C. The last sequence of steel for the Mall C structure arrived on November 22. Installation continues for the remaining rebar required to complete the slab pours on Mall C next week. Demolition of the W.3rd Street ramp is complete and preparations are underway for the rebuilding of this ramp. On the future Convention Center site, crews finished the final section for the 35-foot-high structural wall that stretches nearly 600 feet from Public Auditorium to the future Medical Mart. The adjacent St. Clair Avenue was repaved, striped and opened to two-lane traffic on November 14.

The project continues in full swing with a focus over the next few months on structural steel erection and concrete work in the Medical Mart, Truck Dock, and Convention Center. The construction team has completed installation of the 120-foot-long trusses forming the roof of the future ballroom north of Lakeside Avenue. Decking, detailing, and reinforcing installation continues on the future Mall C. The first two Mall level deck pours are scheduled to be completed this week. On the future Convention Center site, crews finished the final section for the 35-foot-high structural wall that stretches nearly 600 feet from Public Auditorium to the future Medical Mart. The adjacent St. Clair Avenue was repaved, striped and opened to two-lane traffic late Wednesday afternoon.