USA, MI: Construction at Arcadia Brewing site in Kalamazoo delayed due to soil concerns

Construction at the future Arcadia Brewing Co. site in Kalamazoo will be delayed, in part due to an unforeseen problem with soil that will not support the weight of the building, mlive.com reported on November, 15.

Marc Hatton, the city's development manager, told the board the layer of soil is "unsuitable to support the weight of a new building."

"The estimates are (a building built on that layer) could compress and sink by the order of four inches in six months," he said.

Hatton explained the issue is a geotechnical one, and not related to the former use of the property.

Because of the Arcadia's proposed footprint, the building's location cannot be moved, officials say.

Results of lab results to be performed on the soil are expected to be known in about a month, Hatton said, and will be used in determining whether the layer is contaminated and needs to be dug out and replaced.

Plans for Battle Creek Arcadia Brewing's $6.2-million expansion in Kalamazoo include a 30,000-square-foot facility with a 4,500-square-foot brewpub, a 1,500-square-foot office area and a 24,000-square-foot beer production area.

The project is being delayed about six weeks due to the soil situation and a few other issues, but is still going forward. The foundation is now expected to be laid in January, instead of this fall as originally planned.

Arcadia owner Tim Suprise has said he wants the Kalamazoo brewpub to be open by Memorial Day.

21 November, 2012