MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The site of the former Marquette General Hospital is currently under a multi-million dollar demolition.
Almost a year ago the NMU foundation put out an invitation to bid for the demolition of the former Marquette General hospital; the foundation received seven bid proposals with the average amount of $11,500,000. One bid from the Adamo group, a Detroit based contractor, came in $7 million less than that average at just $4 million.
According to Dave Nyberg of the NMU foundation, a part of the company’s proposal allowed it to be so much less than the competition.
“They are recycling or reselling up to 95% of the demolished material by weight, which means they are able to avoid disposing of that material in the landfill,” said Dave Nyberg, the Executive Director of Business Engagement and Economic Development at the NMU Foundation.
A month ago WZMQ received an anonymous tip that the Adamo group had a history of unsafe business practice, when we investigated we found in 2021 the company was fined over $180,000 by OSHA for repeated safety violations.
The company was also sued in civil court by the family of a worker killed in a building collapse related to the violations. WZMQ asked Nyberg if the foundation was aware of the company’s history when it was hired.
“All of the information about bidders is posted on our website and that is all I have to say,” remarked Nyberg when asked if the NMU foundation was aware of the Detroit Contractors past.
The website Nyberg is referring to is the informational site set up by the foundation for the project. The site includes an outline for the bid procurement process, which shows a required check on the company’s safety record, but Nyberg did not elaborate on what that involved.
“We coordinated with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the State Land Bank Authority on the contract structure for the project before the contract was signed,” said Nyberg.
As of now the project has been slightly delayed by asbestos removal, although the work is still expected to be completed by the late spring. Nyberg also told WZMQ that the foundation is currently seeking proposals for the next phase of the project, which includes the demolition of the parking garage. The window to submit a proposal closes on December 15th.
WZMQ reached out to the Adamo Group several times requesting an interview and did not receive a response.
