Escanaba, Michigan, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Construction is underway on a $3 million expansion adjacent to the UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111 hall in Escanaba. The project will increase training square footage by 300% and add a dedicated classroom, computer lab, plumbing lab, HVAC/R lab, and industrial piping lab. Design features include exposed plumbing and mechanical runs for hands-on demonstration and upgrades at the existing facility such as more welding booths and improved ventilation. Roy Ness Contracting leads the work with several subcontractors contributing. The expansion aims to modernize training and accommodate evolving industry techniques and equipment.
New training facility under construction next to Local 111 hall in Escanaba
Construction is underway at a site on 27th Avenue North immediately west of the UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111 hall in Escanaba. The work is part of a roughly $3 million project that will increase the square footage available for training by 300 percent and add space and equipment to modernize hands-on instruction.
What the new building will do
The new building will expand the labor union’s training space and include a dedicated classroom, a computer lab, a plumbing lab, an HVAC/R lab, and an industrial piping lab. Portions of the plumbing and mechanical systems in the new building will be exposed so visitors can see what’s usually hidden in walls, ceilings, and mechanical rooms. Upgrades to the current premises are also part of the project, including adding more welding booths and improving the ventilation system.
Project timeline and cost
In April (year implied within article), Local 111 broke ground on land next door at 2611 N. 27th Ave. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The entire project will cost about $3 million and is being financed.
Who is involved
Roy Ness Contracting is the general contractor for the project. Dynamic Design Group is performing engineering and contract administration. Master Electric is performing the electrical work. United Contractors Inc. is performing plumbing and mechanical work. Johnson Controls is providing building HVAC/R controls. Several other subcontractors are also contributing to the project.
Why Local 111 is expanding
The United Association Plumbers, Pipefitters and HVAC/R Technicians Local 111 represents the workforce of the Upper Peninsula and Niagara, Wis. The union has about 450 active members and maintains offices and facilities in Escanaba and Marquette. The current Escanaba hall at 2601 N. 30th St. includes a 4,000-square-foot training center that was built in 1998 to replace a previous smaller office and training center at 1625 Sheridan Road. The existing training center is used for training around 55 apprentices and to keep journeypersons up to date on techniques, code and safety.
Training staff described a need for more space because the industry is changing and the current facility can only accommodate so much. New welding processes, BIM (Building Information Modeling), new pipe-joining methods, and advances in heating and refrigeration equipment are among the developments cited as reasons for expanding. Staff also described the work members do today as including installing and servicing water and drainage piping, plumbing fixtures, natural gas piping, boilers and heating piping, industrial piping, and air conditioning and refrigeration, among other tasks.
Hands-on teaching design
The new building will expose portions of its walls to show inner workings and demonstrate essential functions usually kept out of sight. The exposed sections are designed so instructors can show the sequence and details of piping routes, valves, and controls that trainees will encounter on real projects.
Union history and footprint
Historically six different organizations across the U.P. used to serve workers in plumbing, pipefitting and HVAC industries decades ago. The union in Marquette was chartered in 1946 and covered seven counties. Members of the Marquette union worked on projects at Northern Michigan University, K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan Technological University, Marquette General Hospital, Marquette State Branch Prison, The Empire Mine, Tilden Mine, the Upper Peninsula Power Company, The Marquette City Electrical Power Utility Company, and Copper Range.
A handful of consolidations resulted in the current Local 111 setup. The final merger in 1997 brought Locals 414 and 728 into Local 506. In 2007 a new charter created Local 111, essentially renaming what had been Local 506.
Locations and contact
Local 111’s hall in Escanaba is located at 2601 N. 30th St.. Local 111’s Marquette premises are at 119 S. Front St.. Photo credit: R. R. Branstrom/Daily Press. R. R. Branstrom can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 140, or [email protected].
Community notes
Iron Mountain Planning Commission will meet at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Iron Mountain City Hall. With no mail delivery on the federal Columbus Day holiday, publication will not occur on that day. The Dickinson County Community Chorus began rehearsals on Sept. 9 for the “Sounds of …” program. Copyright © 2025 Ogden News Publishing of Michigan, Inc. Newspaper address: 215 E. Ludington, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Newspaper website: https://www.ironmountaindailynews.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the construction taking place?
Construction is underway at a site on 27th Avenue North immediately west of the UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111 hall in Escanaba.
How much will the project cost?
The entire project will cost about $3 million and is being financed.
How much will training space increase?
The new building will increase the square footage available for training by 300 percent.
When did ground break for the new building?
In April (year implied within article), Local 111 broke ground on land next door at 2611 N. 27th Ave.
What will the new building include?
The new building will include a dedicated classroom, a computer lab, a plumbing lab, an HVAC/R lab, and an industrial piping lab.
Key project features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Site on 27th Avenue North immediately west of the UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111 hall in Escanaba (2611 N. 27th Ave) |
| Cost | About $3 million (being financed) |
| Training space increase | Increase the square footage available for training by 300 percent |
| New labs | Classroom, computer lab, plumbing lab, HVAC/R lab, industrial piping lab |
| Design feature | Portions of plumbing and mechanical systems will be exposed for demonstrations |
| Upgrades to existing facility | More welding booths, improved ventilation system |
| Main contractors | Roy Ness Contracting (GC), Dynamic Design Group, Master Electric, United Contractors Inc., Johnson Controls |
| Expected completion | By the end of the year |
| Local 111 membership | About 450 active members; offices/facilities in Escanaba and Marquette |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Iron Mountain Daily News: Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC union expanding — Escanaba
- Wikipedia: United Association
- Iron Mountain Daily News: Local News
- Google Search: UA Local 111 Escanaba
- Iron Mountain Daily News: Homepage
- Google Scholar: HVAC training apprenticeships Michigan
- Daily Press (Marquette)
- Encyclopedia Britannica: plumbing
- Johnson Controls: Building HVAC/R controls
- Google News: HVAC training facility Escanaba
Author: Construction FL News
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