DETROIT — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District announced Sunday that it is coordinating the conversion to adapt more than 250,000 square feet of the TCF Center into alternate medical care space in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave USACE a “verbal mission assignment" to construct a large alternate care facility in downtown Detroit, according to a news release. FEMA picked the TCF Center, which will be used for at least six months, as health officials continue to battle the ongoing spread of COVID-19.

“We are proud to work hand-in-hand with our partners at FEMA and the state of Michigan and leverage our engineering expertise to help save lives,” said Lt. Col. Gregory Turner, district engineer, USACE, Detroit District.

The conversion will include two separate floors, which will be segregated based on severity of illness, according to the release. Once the medical facility is completed, the conversion will include approximately 900 bed spaces and stations for medical personnel.

USAC Detroit District anticipates it will take 24 to 36 hours to place a contract, at which point the TCF Center team will activate its personnel to start construction, the release states.

“We are proud to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA and the TCF Center to expand capacity in Detroit," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in the release. "By mobilizing quickly to construct a large alternate care facility in Detroit, we can help save lives.”

Leadership from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Michigan National Guard and other federal and state agencies visited... Posted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District on Saturday, March 28, 2020

The 2020 North American International Auto Show, scheduled for June, has been canceled because USACE chose the TCF Center as a field hospital site. Sponsors were told the show is scheduled to return in 2021.

2020 Detroit auto show canceled after FEMA picks TCF Center as field hospital site in coronavirus battle

The Army Corps District Detroit said in the release it has performed 15 site visits on locations nominated by the state as alternate care facilities, including TCF Center, the Detroit Pistons Performance Center and two dormitories at Wayne State University.

Detroit auto show officials ‘disappointed’ but fully support reason for cancellation

USACE has received seven FEMA mission assignments totaling approximately $880 million, and more than 15,000 USACE personnel are engaged in the efforts, according to the release.

As of 3 p.m. Saturday, the state COVID-19 case total is at 4,650 and the death toll is at 111. There were 993 new cases since Friday with 19 new deaths.

Nearly 1,000 new coronavirus cases reported in Michigan; death toll climbs to 111

Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.

Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops ) and when you go into places like stores.