As published in Manufacturing & Construction News - August 1, 2020
Rendering of Imagination Station’s KeyBank Discovery Theater
Imagination Station is nearing completion of its $9.5 million 280-plus seat premium large format theater – the KeyBank Discovery Theater – that will offer immersive experiences to engage people of all ages and interests. Premium large format theaters offer significantly larger screens, superior audio quality, and plush, up-close seating, noted Imagination Station.
The Lathrop Company is serving as the construction manager of the project, and The Collaborative Inc. is the architect. Other companies performing work on the site include B&B Wrecking; Hayward Baker; The Spieker Company; Spartan Construction; Tech Dynamics; Henry Gurtzweiler; Laibe Electrical; Dunbar Mechanical; VM Systems; Toledo Mirror & Glass; OCP Contractors; United Roofing & Sheet Metal; Accel Fire Systems; William Bucher Painting; Great Lakes Restoration; Kyle Sherman Excavating; Hoover Wells; Commercial Flooring; North Branch Nursery; Quality Overhead Doors; Schindler Elevator; and Lathrop SPD.
Construction at Imagination Station’s KeyBank Discovery Theater
According to Karl Wolz, project manager, The Lathrop Company, the project is a 14,000 square foot addition to Imagination Station in downtown Toledo, consisting of a 3,700 square foot theater, a projection room, an expanded concourse area, a concession area, a pair of restrooms, a new elevator, a new relocated gift shop, and a retail space presently being built out.
The project began in May 2019 and is expected to be complete in mid-August.
“The materials used in construction consist of deep foundation micro piles; concrete foundations, columns, beams and walls; structural masonry walls for the theater perimeter; structural steel for theater and roof supports; exterior brick façade; exterior metal panels; PVC and metal standing seam roofing components; and the theater will have a perforated screening façade,” said Wolz. “Part of the project consisted of removal (demolition) of the walk bridge over Summit Street between Imagination Station on the river side to the tower on the northwest side. This was unique, as we were charged with removal of the walk bridge while still keeping traffic flowing through Summit Street. We were able to accomplish this with just one weekend road shutdown.”
Wolz explained that the foundations (micro piles) were unique as Lathrop had to install the deep foundations within the existing underground garage to bedrock located approximately 85-90 feet from Summit Street level.
“After micro piles were completed, we then reinforced the elevated slab with additional concrete beams and columns to support the theater structure. The sequencing and scheduling of the work was very tight as with the small site we could only sequence three to four contractors at any one time,” said Wolz. “The sequencing amounted to multiple phases as certain construction components as designed and engineered could not be installed until other components were installed. While this sequencing happens on other projects, this project had a much tighter sequencing than most. An example of this – we had to complete the CMU masonry firewall at 70 feet by 45 high, then before we could continue with masonry, phase one and phase two of the structural steel had to be erected because the next phase of masonry sat on the structural steel. Then we were able to restart masonry on the theater perimeter. After these walls were complete we had to stop masonry to install theater steel, then back to masonry, and then finish structural steel. We were then able to start brickwork. As you can see, we had to stop and restart multiple pieces of work – due to site limitations – in most instances these contractors had to leave the site and come back when it was their scheduled time to restart. This type of sequencing was scheduled throughout the entire project.”
| Some of the companies that provided services on Imagination Station's KeyBank Discovery Theater include: | |
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Wolz noted that the COVID-19 pandemic also was a factor in the project.
“The project was suspended for five-plus weeks where we still had to maintain site security and manage against material deliveries affected by shutdowns in other states. When installing the deep foundation micro piles, we encountered wooden pier piles underground causing us to relocate micro piles,” said Wolz. “The Toledo tunnels that presently connect Imagination Station to the [ProMedica] Junction building required us to need larger cranes to place material like roofing and air handling units, as well as setting structural steel. This was required because the cranes are too heavy to be allowed to set up over the tunnel therefore we required all required crane work to be set up on the old road areas to handle the weight.”
Wolz also explained that, starting in mid-June, Lathrop had to manage around the City shutting down all of Summit Street in front of the Imagination Station project. Access in and out for subcontractors and vendors has changed and required more coordination with the City’s contractors working on the Summit street project.
Construction at Imagination Station’s
KeyBank Discovery Theater
When speaking of unique features of the project, Wolz explained that the project includes double masonry; a two-hour fire wall separating Imagination Station from the new theater; an elevator with glass surrounding the elevator shaft on the first level; and the perforated exterior screen wall that stands off the building exterior along Summit Street and the main entrance side of the project.
“In regards to energy efficiency, it can be seen through energy efficient air handling units, including an independent unit for the theater, and a project-wide lighting control system to allow the owner to regulate lighting based on occupancy and use,” said Wolz.
Wolz noted that theater will change the downtown area and the increased potential for learning. The theater will provide movies for entertainment; documentaries for educational purposes; opportunities for guest speakers to present to the community; opportunities for virtual learning; and a space for companies to hold large company wide or regional meetings.
According to Imagination Station, the theater will feature 8-10 films per year that span a variety of topics, such as science, adventure, art, wildlife, nature, sports, geography, and more. In addition, Imagination Station will host special events at KeyBank Discovery Theater, such as:
“Our vision is a theater that will inspire and influence everyone in our community and powerfully impact economic growth in the Toledo area,” said Lori Hauser, CEO at Imagination Station.
“Imagination Station has been a great client to work for and our staff and company have been privileged to be the preferred contractor of choice to manage this construction project,” concluded Wolz.