The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that construction is complete at Michigan’s second Alternate Care Facility at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The facility is expected to begin accepting patients by the end of the week.

The Suburban Collection Showplace Alternate Care Facility is one of the first in the Nation to be turned over to the state. Modeled after the TCF Regional Care Center in Detroit, construction included a triage area, patient support services such as showers and toilets, staff changing areas and administrative space, a command center and pharmacy. The 250,000 square foot conversion of the convention center into a medical facility with 250 bed spaces was originally designed to a capacity of up to 1,100 beds.

“Engineering solutions to the Nation's toughest challenges is what we do,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Turner, commander, USACE, Detroit District. “We've worked closely with the State of Michigan to respond to the evolving situation in Michigan and to rapidly deliver projects to help our communities.”

The main floor of the convention center was converted into a negative pressure area, which essentially creates a vacuum in the space that will exhaust any possible airborne contamination. Like the TCF Center, copper pipes were put in the ceiling to deliver oxygen to all 250 beds.

USACE, District Detroit, Alternate Care Facility Team had almost 100 personnel engaged in this mission across Michigan, including four teams making 28 facility assessments in 13 counties since March 25, 2020. The team designed four and completed construction on two Alternate Care Facilities for Michigan, converting 600,000 square feet of two convention centers into 1,220 medical care bed spaces.

Through the unified national emergencies response, USACE deploys hundreds of people to provide technical engineering expertise and promote capacity development at home and abroad. The Corps provides management and technical services to include: management and oversight in design, engineering and construction; environmental restoration and management services; research and development assistance.