Hands of Christ Food Co-op 2024

---

The redevelopment of an existing approximately 1-acre commercial site and remodeling of an existing approximately 8,000 SF commercial building from cabinet shop to food co-op in Duluth. 

Budget of approximately $2,000,000.

The site redevelopment scope of work included a great deal of site rehabilitation (including removal of overgrowth and trash removal) as well as all new sanitary sewer service (the site had previously been on a commercial septic system). There are two major site retaining walls, water-pervious gravel paver parking spaces, a whole new site perimeter privacy fence, and all new asphalt driveways and parking.

The building scope of work was effectively to strip the existing pre-engineered metal building structure to its frame and then rebuild it while adding multiple small additions. The interior was converted from a millwork shop to approximately 6,000 SF of grocery warehouse and 2,000 SF of administrative offices and community rooms. This includes new finishes and MEPs throughout.

Rivaled only by ABBS, the Hands of Christ Food Co-Op remodel is the most extensive remodel project yet performed by DCG.

• The existing PEMBS building and slab, both of which were over 40-years old, were all that remained of the original building. And both had to be extensively cleaned to be reusable.
• After stripping the existing metal wall and roof panels, several new small additions were erected with PEMBS steel components, then all new insulation and metal panels were attached both to new and existing in order to have a new seamless, weathertight envelope.
• All the existing hollow metal personnel doors and roll-up overhead doors were replaced with new and dock accessories, including an in-slab scale, door seals and door curtains
• New windows of storefront glass were installed all around the building, allowing much more natural light inside.
• All existing mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems had to be removed due to being non-code compliant. This allowed for much more efficient systems to be installed instead. This fact, along with all new metal building insulation, gave HoC a more comfortable space while also saving on utility costs.