Month: September 2017

Detroit’s New Little Caesars Arena Officially Opens

Posted on by Shanna Evans

On Sept. 5, 2017, Little Caesars Arena in Detroit was introduced to the world in a big way during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was the kickoff event to a weeklong preview of the arena for media outlets and project contributors. Little Caesars Arena (LCA) is the new home of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons. LCA is the anchor project for a new 50-block redevelopment in downtown Detroit simply known as, “The District Detroit.” The District Detroit is a world-class sports and entertainment development that spans 50 city blocks and five neighborhoods and includes six theaters/performing art centers and four professional sports teams. Our team is currently working with Olympia Development of Michigan on a number of projects related to The District Detroit development.

As the Security Consultant and Engineer of Record for the arena, our team was tasked with designing electronic security and developing physical security protective measures that supported the programmatic and architectural elements of the arena’s overall design. Our team services for the project included recommendations for site physical security measures, a vehicle threat vector analysis (through sub-consultant), and the design of site-wide access control, intrusion detection, video surveillance, emergency intercom, integrated suite access control, and visitor management systems. Our team also provided Construction Administration services that included bid and award all the way through final system commissioning. Additionally, our team provided consultation and supporting documentation to the client, as part of the Department of Homeland Security Safety Act certification process.

Little Caesars Arena officially opened its doors to the public for a six-show concert event starring Detroit native Kid Rock that runs from Sept. 12-20, 2017. The Detroit Red Wings are scheduled to play their first regular-season hockey game in the new arena on Oct. 5, 2017.

About the Contributor:

Jeremy Zweeres is a Senior Associate with over 15 years of experience in the industry focusing on security system integration and design engineering for commercial, federal, cultural, and high-risk facilities. Jeremy joined DVS, a division of Ross & Baruzzini in 2007 and was the Project Manager and Lead Engineer for the new 785,000 ft², 21,000-person Little Caesars Arena project.

Allan Shapiro, Senior Transportation Consultant, Passes Away at Age 80

Posted on by Shanna Evans

Allan Shapiro, Senior Transportation Consultant, passed away on September 2, 2017, in Scarsdale, New York after a battle with colon cancer. Allan was a well-respected friend and colleague to Ross & Baruzzini staff, clients, and project partners around the world and was a key member of Ross & Baruzzini’s North American Aviation team.

With a career that spanned more than 40 years, Allan participated as a senior program manager on numerous large-scale transportation, public works, and Homeland Security critical infrastructure projects throughout the United States and internationally. He was a registered architect and terminal planner who began his career in 1967 at HNTB and went on to work at some of the leading firms in the U.S., including HOK and DMJM/AECOM. Allan joined Ross & Baruzzini as a Transportation Consultant in 2007. During his illustrious career, he served as a planner and program manager for over 100 airport projects.

“I first met Allan nearly 20 years ago at an aviation conference and immediately took a liking to him,” commented Craig Toder, chairman of Ross & Baruzzini. “He was a fixture in the industry and a friend to everyone. His career led him towards business development because he was such a people person. You could put him in front of any type of person from any walk of life, and he would find some common ground. In addition to his dedication and contribution to the industry, he was first and foremost a devoted family man. He will be greatly missed.”

“Allan always considered everyone a close friend and held them in the highest regard which spoke to his caring and devoted nature to the Industry and the Ross & Baruzzini family,” commented Michael Zoia, Director of North American Aviation at Ross & Baruzzini. “He always had a smile (and a hat) and could immediately find a friend in any room he entered.”

Allan was well-recognized in the transportation industry. He served on the boards of all the leading aviation organizations, including Airports Council International (ACI), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and Airport Consultants Council (ACC), and was a keynote speaker at many of their conferences. He was also a lifetime member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He was a member of the Construction Specification Institute (CSI). He was an Emeritus of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a past National Vice President of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME).

He was born November 21, 1936, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up excelling in academics and in football. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was one of the first registered architects in Ohio, Allan was inspired to also become an architect. He received his degree from Cornell University in 1959.

Allan is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Healy Shapiro, a brother and sister, their seven children, and sixteen grandchildren. Cards can be sent to his wife at 6 South Old Orchard Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119.