Casino and Gaming Facility

Project Team

Structural Engineer: Richard Weingardt Consultants, Inc.
Owner: Firekeepers Development Authority
Architect: Perez, APC
General Contractor: Clark Construction
Steel Joist Manufacturer: Nucor Vulcraft Group
Steel Detailer: Douglas Steel Fabricating Corporation
Steel Fabricator: Douglas Steel Fabricating Corporation
Steel Erector: Douglas Steel Fabricating Corporation

Project Type: Non-Industrial

Project Description

This project is a very large new casino and gaming facility located near Battle Creek, Michigan. The building is comprised of two main components; the main casino building which is approximately 180,000 square feet, and the administrative and support portion which adds another 60,000 square feet. The facility is single story with high overhead spaces and varying roof elevations. The primary structural system is structural steel framing with Vulcraft roof framing trusses and Vulcraft steel roof deck. The lateral system is by a combination of X-braced frames and steel moment frames. The foundation uses reinforced concrete footings and stem walls.

What Makes This Project Interesting

One of the primary project goals for both the design and construction team was providing a large user-flexible space that is both attractive and economical. To provide this, the architect, Perez, and the structural engineer, Richard Weingardt Consultants, designed an economical rectilinear building layout that encompasses unique roof elements and interior volumes. Roof clerestory elements use special curved Vulcraft joists that provide a unique exterior appearance and interior space while remaining within the economical constraints of the development. Structural steel was selected as the best system for overall benefits of cost, availability, construction speed, and user flexibility. The building structure uses a long span bay configuration of 64 feet in each primary direction. Using Vulcraft LH series joists with custom loading conditions allowed these large column free spans to be constructed quickly and efficiently.

Advantages Of The Chose Structural System

Due to the heavy HVAC demands of this size and type of building, a large number of roof mounted equipment is required. Large units are supported on areas of the roof designed with concrete topping on composite steel deck. This allows maximum flexibility in locating these heavier units with good sound and vibration isolation. Smaller units are supported by K and LH series joists with special loading provisions.

Project Scope

The building structure is designed for expansion of both the casino area and the “Back of House” spaces. The casino floor uses an elevated floor system above the concrete slab to provide both air circulation functions, and utility and service routing. The casino layout is designed to be extremely flexible for future modifications by the Owner. Another unique architectural aspect is the shape of the main entry porte cochre. A compound curved structural steel shape was designed and constructed in the configuration of a beak at the end of the canopy as a reference to the culture of the Native Americans that are part of the Ownership group.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: $125 million
Joist cost, including fabrication and erection: $731, 320.00
Size (square ft.): 250,000
Roof area using joists (square ft.): 181,332
Joist area (square ft.): 181,332
Joist engineering to delivery (# days): 168
Joist erection (# days): 60

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