Taylor-based J.S. Vig Construction Co. said Tuesday that it has formed Project Green, a green building think tank that expands the company's sustainable construction practice area.
J.S. Vig will initially locate a staff of five at Project Green, located at 157 E. Hoover, Ann Arbor. The location will contain a resource library devoted to sustainable construction.
"Project Green will focus on educating property owners, developers and the general public on the benefits and costs associated with green building," said company president Joseph Vig. "We will advocate for LEED certified building when appropriate, but our ultimate goal is to have a showcase to educate our customers and the architectural community about the costs and benefits of 'green' site selection, design and construction practices."
Vig said the company will have several LEED-certified staff devoted exclusively to reviewing a development's concept and providing early suggestions and associated budgets. Vig said the office "will become a resource center where any architect or owner can go to obtain feedback regarding the cost and feasibility of implementing green building concepts into a proposed development or renovation."
Two J.S. Vig staffers, both LEED certified, will oversee the initiative -- vice president Greg Copp, PE, and project manager Justin Barringer.
"As one of Southeast Michigan's fastest-growing contractors, we saw a great opportunity to formalize our sustainable construction expertise and expand our 'toolbox,'" said J.S. Vig COO Valerie Vig. "We recognize that while LEED certification may not be feasible for every building, every project may benefit from sustainable building practices. Project Green will focus on sustainability as a starting point, not an after thought. At the end of the process, we will be providing our clients with all of their options."
In addition to Project Green, J.S. Vig plans to have all company project managers LEED accredited by the spring 2009.
The Project Green announcement represents a formalization of J.S. Vig's experience in sustainable construction. Nearly every one of the company's current projects incorporates green building principles, including a large development in Austin, Texas that is complying with the basic components of Austin's Green Building Program. J.S. Vig is also serving as construction manager for the new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Pittsfield Township, Mich., a center dedicated to studying and improving the Great Lakes ecosystem. Additionally, the company recently completed a renovation of the Foley Mansfield building located in Royal Oak, which was both a historic restoration and green building project.
Founded in 1965, J.S. Vig is a full-service general contractor and construction management company.
More at www.jsvig.com.
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