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January 2013 Reprinted from ELEVATOR WORLD
Category
Project
Year
of
the
2013
Escalators, Modernization
4
K
nown as one of the nation’s largest convention centers, the Cobo Convention Center is
undergoing a US$299-million expansion and upgrade. Phase 1 of the project included
the modernization of 12 of the existing 30-year-old glass-balustrade escalators. KONE
was awarded the contract in 2010 and completed the phase in 2011.
Building owner Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority began project discussions in
2009. The existing equipment was in a state of disrepair, and a complete escalator replace-
ment was originally considered. However, such an approach presented various challenges.
KONE then partnered with the center to review the site conditions and determine the best
course of action.
From an accessibility point of view, there were numerous challenges presented by a com-
plete escalator replacement. The equipment in question served four different levels of the facil-
ity, and multiple access points would have to be created in the exterior of the building to get
the old units out and new ones in. In addition, the proximity of many of the units inside the
existing structure presented significant (if not impossible) rigging and hoisting challenges.
In addition to the accessibility issues, a complete replacement would have added general
construction costs. Though the escalators’ exterior cladding were primarily drywall, several
other factors would have contributed to added costs if a replacement had been implemented.
Many of the escalators had operating vendor and retail locations directly underneath them, all
Cobo Convention Center,
Detroit, Michigan
submitted by Brian Diviney, KONE
Completed EcoMod installation
