A Trusted Partner in Stadium + Arena Construction
At Ideal Contracting, we understand that stadium and arena projects are about more than just a building. These venues are the heart of our communities, the stage for historic moments, and the homes of legends in sports and entertainment. Our team has amassed diverse experience in stadium and arena construction, setting us apart as a dependable partner for these complex and impactful projects.
Ideal Contracting is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) general contractor based in southwest Detroit, Michigan. As a self-performing general contractor, our team approaches every project with a robust general contracting approach, even if we are serving as a subcontractor to a larger GC. This comprehensive approach is well-suited to the challenging and schedule-driven aspects of stadium and arena construction.
Demonstrated Expertise
With a successful track record of helping build and enhance some of the most exciting sports venues in southeast Michigan and beyond, our team brings a wealth of knowledge and technical proficiency to every project. Ideal Contracting is an American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certified erector and a Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) certified precast erector. Each of these certifications adds to our expertise and capabilities to deliver a project that we and our customers can be proud of. We are proud to have worked with owners such as the University of Michigan, Illitch Holdings, and the University of Tennessee to deliver lasting projects that reflect the client’s vision and the community’s spirit.
Ideal Contracting played a critical role in the construction of Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. This included the outer buildings of the arena, where Ideal self-performed the structural and miscellaneous steel erection of over 2,000 tons of steel for (3) four-level buildings. Each of the buildings, which serve as the arena’s exterior walls, was constructed in a very tight footprint. Our team was also awarded the contract to manage the civil and concrete work for the outer buildings. By being involved in the civil, underground MEP, concrete, and steel portions of the project, Ideal Contracting took much control of the work area and coordinated all disciplines to meet the arena’s challenging schedule.
Ideal executed an additional contract for the Little Caesars Arena Via Roof project. In this project, our team erected and detailed (65) uniquely designed steel rafters between the arena and the outer buildings. Ideal Contracting created and followed an engineered erection plan to erect in a sequence that maximized the space and capacity of the crane in an otherwise small footprint. These rafters, fabricated in Turkey and delivered to our Detroit yard, are critical to the arena’s unique design.
Most recently, Ideal Contracting completed the Michigan Stadium Scoreboard Replacement project. Ideal Contracting proudly served as the general contractor for this project, which consisted of expansions to the north and south scoreboards at Michigan Stadium, as well as a renovated video production center inside the Crisler Center. One unique aspect of this project was the (4) new 70-ton scoreboard columns, which were strategically sourced by our preconstruction team through one of the only fabricators in the country who could build the columns in the required timeframe of the project. The sheer size of the columns presented challenges in both the delivery and erection sequence.
At Ideal Contracting, we continue to build a robust portfolio of these types of projects. This experience, combined with our strong relations with local and national skilled trade unions and IMPACT, has equipped us with desirable skills and capabilities. From structural, ornamental, and miscellaneous steel to larger general contracting projects, our team has a combined expertise that can meet the visions and goals of these venues across the U.S.
Commitment to Safety
In addition to our experience in helping build these projects, Ideal Contracting is also an industry leader in safety. We take a holistic approach to building safety in every undertaking of our company. This includes collaboration with our project partners to thoughtfully integrate innovative engineering solutions and rigorous quality control measures into every aspect of the preconstruction and construction processes. Stadium and arena projects are often larger in scale and require a higher degree of complexity in design and engineering. These added layers of intricacy only motivate our team to develop proactive strategies to overcome challenges and exceed all safety expectations.
A Partner from Beginning to End
From the outset of a project, Ideal Contracting will work alongside our design partners, subcontractors, community stakeholders, and clients to ensure the team’s approach is comprehensive. We pride ourselves on building an engaging team environment that fosters conversation and collaboration. With input from our project partners, Ideal Contracting’s expert preconstruction team brings innovative solutions to the table and gives our construction team a head start with their on-site operations. Stadium and arena construction can oftentimes involve a constantly evolving design with intricate details and specifications. Our team’s experience in Design-Build and Design-Assist helps projects remain on schedule while implementing cost-savings and efficiency strategies from project inception. From preconstruction to project closeout, our team seamlessly delivers projects with a true team mindset.
