Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center

Independence Excavating kicked off the 2011 construction season at the new Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center project in downtown Cleveland. Our scope for the project includes the demolition of the existing convention center in Malls B and C, demolition of five buildings in the block of Ontario St. and St. Clair Ave., the earthwork and utilities for the new Medical Mart facility, and dewatering the existing water table on the site for construction.

With the extensive planning of our field managers, dispatch team, and heavy and support shops, Independence Excavating began dismantling the site and attacking the aggressive schedule to clear the site for the new facility. We followed Precision Environmental Co. who cleared areas of asbestos. We then demolished the massive structure to 45 feet below street level in preparation for the foundation and concrete contractors.

Since the existing facility extends beneath Lakeside Ave. between Malls B and C, Independence Excavating coordinated with the construction teams to temporarily support Lakeside Ave. while demolition and construction of the new facility occurred beneath it. Bracing of the existing roadway required massive girders salvaged from the site and ensured no interruption to the Lakeside Ave. traffic during the project.

Another key component of the project was extending the new facility to the south and west to within feet of the St. Clair Ave. curb, and to the west into the existing block of buildings. The new structure extends 40 feet below grade, right against the existing street level.