News Releases & Articles

Developers want to turn a cornfield on the edge of Eagle Lake into a subdivision called The Sanctuary. Portage-based developer AVB plans to build 40 single-family homes in a 31-acre field on the southwest shore of Eagle Lake, on the corner of West PQ Avenue and South 4th Street.

Portage’s latest iteration of an income-based housing project is moving toward approval.

The project, Stanwood Crossings (it’s between Stanley and Woodbine avenues) would bring 45 single-family homes to city-owned property at 9617 Portage Road, according to city documents.

Eastern Michigan University (“EMU”) along with the entire Gilbane project team, is delighted to announce the completion and occupancy of Phase 1 for the EMU “Welcome Home 2025” project.

The four-story, 213,000-square-foot apartment complex on the college’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, campus is part of a public-private partnership.

Western Michigan University started its home football season last weekend with a newly renovated President’s Suite.

Andrew Schipper Becomes Fifth Shareholder and Principal at AVB.

A new 93-room Residence Inn in Kalamazoo’s Milwood neighborhood is $1 million closer to becoming a reality.

The Portage City Council approved a $3 million grant agreement for the construction of the 50 homes near 9617 Portage Road at a meeting in March 2024.

Flavor manufacturer FlavorSum LLC has completed an expansion project at its Kalamazoo-area campus that will boost the company’s flavor processing capabilities. 

Community members gathered to celebrate Paw Paw Fire Department's new fire station with a ribbon-cutting celebration.

High-end Texas Township development, Turning Stone, which broke ground in late 2019 is moving into its next phase for new homes. Once complete, Turning Stone, developed by Portage-based developer AVB, will be home to 114 single-family homes.

FlavorSum is building a 35,000-square-foot expansion to its Kalamazoo production facility, managed by Portage-based AVB, that’s expected to spur a total of $10 million in private investment and create a projected 51 local jobs.

A new educational partnership being piloted at two colleges this spring aims to place Kalamazoo-area students in the business community.

Western Michigan University (WMU) and Kalamazoo College announced a new project, which will see students from both institutions working with a local company, AVB, to solve real-life business issues, gain experience and forge community connections.

Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College are embarking on an exciting new partnership that will allow students from both institutions to go outside the classroom to gain powerful experiences in leadership and business strategy by consulting with local companies on their business challenges. The client this semester is construction and development firm AVB, which has asked students to look at growth strategies for its future.

Construction is beginning on Zone 32, a mixed-use development on Frank Street in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood, being developed by Jamauri Bogan and his company, Bogan Developments, and built by Portage Construction Management firm, AVB.

Portage-based AVB Inc. served as the general contractor on the 11,000-square-foot expansion for Continental Linen Services Inc., a 123-year-old, family-owned company in Kalamazoo.

The Welcome Home 2025 program will add 700 beds across two new buildings, plus renovations to existing facilities. Gilbane Development is the project’s developer, and Gilbane Building Co., Lansing, Michigan-based Clark Construction Co. and Portage, Michigan-based AVB Inc. will serve as design-builders.

Eastern Michigan University held a groundbreaking ceremony on a $200 million initiative to transform on-campus housing and create dynamic and modern living and learning environments for its 15,000 students. The three-year project, known as “Welcome Home 2025,” will feature the construction of two entirely new student living facilities: Lakeview Apartments and Westview Apartments.

AVB and The Hinman Company, both headquartered in the City of Portage, celebrated the groundbreaking of Tall Timbers, an expansion project at Greenspire Apartments in the City of Portage, with an event attended by Portage Mayor, Patricia Randall.

The developer of a four-story, 180-unit apartment building coming to Portage’s Centre Avenue corridor was approved for up to $4.75 million in state funding. Being called Tall Timbers, the building, along with a 147-space integrated parking deck and an expansive common area, will be located east of U.S. 131 on a 13.5-acre site at 3413 W. Centre Ave.

The Portage City Council gave the green light to a new 180-unit apartment complex this week. “Tall Timbers,” a three-building apartment complex will be constructed as part of the Greenspire Development, according to a proposal approved by the Portage City Council Tuesday, May 24.

Local Construction Manager, AVB, puts seasoned project manager at the right hand of the president.

Local Construction Manager, AVB, puts seasoned leader and senior project manager at the helm.

The Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon, formerly known as the Kalamazoo Marathon/Borgess Run for the Health of It, is returning as a three-day event, starting Friday, April 22, 2022.

CRB Kalamazoo is moving to a new office that will support the company’s growth. The build-out within 650 Trade Centre was built by AVB and designed by Eckert Wordell.

The Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries is set to have their grand opening for their new women's and children's shelter on March 25, constructed by AVB and designed by Schley Nelson Architects.

Western Michigan University’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Custer Speaker Series features alumnus Greg Dobson, chief operating officer and principal at AVB.

Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries will soon be able to serve hundreds more people every day as it reaches the last phases of a long-awaited expansion project.

For the fourth year in a row, AVB has been recognized as one of The National Association for Business Resources 2021 Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in the Nation.

When the Paw Paw Fire Department moved into their station in 1974, no one expected the need to fit a 105-foot aerial truck, DeGroff said. The new station will be more functional and useful for the firefighters. AVB is the construction management partner on this project, with Schley Nelson Architects leading the architectual design.

Three developments aimed at keeping businesses in West Michigan, including one in Kalamazoo, cleared a state hurdle Tuesday.

Shovels hit the ground Friday, March 26 to signal the start of construction on the development of a longstanding vacant property in downtown Grand Haven.

Less than three years after opening the first location, Nonla Burger owners plan to open a second location soon. This time featuring a drive-thru window, the new location is in Corner@Drake at 1700 S. Drake Rd. in Oshtemo Township.

Deviating from the conventional three-story center core building with surface parking, Consumers Credit Union headquarters is a truly unique and compelling solution that creates a high-performance workplace within a structure that both complements and preserves the sylvan locale.

Construction has begun on the Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries’ new women’s and children’s shelter, with the goal of better accommodating a demographic that continues to grow. The ministry said complete demolition of the building will be completed in the coming days by AVB, a Portage-based construction company.

The $11 million new senior community center in Portage is moving forward as fundraising continues for the capital campaign. The Portage-based construction company, AVB, was selected for the project and Portage City Council recently approved a base contract to the Kalamazoo-based firm Byce & Associates for architectural and engineering work.

We are proud to be recognized for this gorgeous custom home on Gull Lake! “The Best in American Living™ Awards (BALA) is the building industry’s premier residential design awards program. BALA spotlights the most creative and talented building industry professionals who have redefined design excellence for homes and communities nationally and internationally.”

Ascension Borgess plans to build a $20 million new cancer center on one of Western Michigan University’s campuses near Kalamazoo. Dallas-based architecture firm HKS Inc. is designing the cancer center, which will be built by Portage-based general contractor AVB Inc.

AVB is named one of 269 Magazines 2019 Wonderful Workplaces. “To witness the growth of Southwest Michigan is to see AVB’s team in action.” - 269 Magazine

Chow Hound Pet Supplies plans to open its 12th store, at 5097 Century Avenue, at the corner of Stadium Drive and Drake Road at The Corner Shoppes@Stadium in the Corner@Drake development, according to a news release.

The Hinman Company and AVB Inc held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony at the corner of Rose and Lovell streets, the future site of a mixed-use, four-story development.

Construction continues at the new shopping center, Corner Shoppes @ Stadium, along Stadium Drive and Drake Road.

Construction could come later this year on a new Portage Fire Station No. 2 next door to the current station on Oakland Drive, with AVB handling the construction management services. 

AVB began demolition and construction activities in December as part of a renovation project to make the first and third floors of Western Michigan University's Central Kohrman Hall a world-class home for the product design program.

Borgess Medical Center will expand its facilities over the next two years, primarily adding a second floor to the Stryker Center, the hospital's outpatient treatment area. AVB is excited to be a part of this exciting project!

Consumers Credit Union has a new corporate headquarters. It was designed by HOK, a leading global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. AVB of Portage was the construction manager and Kalamazoo's Bosch Architecture assisted as a consultant to the process.

Kalamazoo-based Consumers Credit Union has opened its new headquarters. Portage-based, AVB was the contractor.

Nearly 150 Consumers Credit Union employees from four different locations have come together in one new three-story, 92,000-square-foot headquarters. Kalamazoo-based AVB Inc. was the construction manager.

Look for the Millennium Restaurant Group to open another of its Tap House tavern/restaurants in the coming months near the Costco Warehouse Membership Club store in Corner @ Drake.

The AVB and Hinman Company team development of a key gateway to Portage continues with the approval of a new five-story office building at 650 Trade Centre Way along I-94 near South Westnedge Avenue.

Home builders are busy putting up new developments in Portage. Hear what local builders, including AVB, Allen Edwin Homes, and Roberts Built Homes have to say about the booming market.

A Holiday Inn & Suites and a Holiday Inn Express will be the first two hotels to become established at the Westgate development, the 140-acre retail, commercial and residential area that is under development along U.S. 131 north of West Main Street.

Kellogg Community Credit Union (KCCU) recently held a ribbon cutting celebration at their new branch located at 1650 South Drake Road in Kalamazoo, in the Corner@Drake development.

After more than 50 years operating in the same building, Impact Label Corp. has relocated its headquarters from Kalamazoo to Galesburg. Read about their story and decision to move as well as take a look at their new facility built by AVB.

AVB recently hired Blake Krum as a business development associate.

AVB recently hired Charles Ludlow as a Residential Construction Framer and Stephen Timmer as a Residential Estimating Intern.

AVB recently hired Ben Lawson as a commercial construction project engineer and assistant superintendent. 

AVB recently hired Daniel Burns as a commercial construction project engineer. 

To offer more services and better serve the community, YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is undergoing a $6 million expansion. Local firm TowerPinkster was hired as the architect and AVB will manage the construction.

Control Solutions Inc. has compiled a list of 15 commercial builders in Michigan who emphasize environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices and AVB made the cut! 

Look for a new credit union, a new bank and a cluster of smaller "unique" retailers in the Corner@Drake development that houses the Costco warehouse membership club store at Stadium Drive and Drake Road.

Corner@Drake was in the news - check out the segment and article about our new Corner Shoppes@Drake development in this WWMT News Channel 3 publication. 

Old National Bank plans to build a regional headquarters for West Michigan at the growing shopping center at The Corner@Drake located on the corner of Stadium Drive and Drake Road.

Within weeks construction will begin on a retail center, the latest project at the Corner@Drake, developed by AVB at the interchange of US-131 and Stadium Drive.

The Kalamazoo community welcomes the YMCA Portage branch's new full access locker room.

The new locker room opened this week to enthusiastic response, said Steve Springsdorf, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo.

Field & Stream, the outdoor recreation concept of Dick's Sporting Goods, is set to open west of Kalamazoo on April 1.

AVB recently hired Ron Schauer as the Residential Service Technician. See his press release in MLive's "People on the Move" here.

AVB recently hired Paul Hebert as a Commercial Construction Intern. See his press release in MLive's "People on the Move" here.

AVB recently hired Karleigh Pleyer as a Receptionist. See her press release in MLive's "People on the Move" here.

A dedication ceremony Friday unveiled the $23 million facility that will soon be the new home of the family division of Kalamazoo County Circuit Court.

AVB recently hired Dylan Richards and Andrew Adriance as Residential Construction Assistants. See their press release in MLive's "People on the Move" here.

Located on a research campus of Western Michigan University, the Newell Rubbermaid Design Center was created to support collaborative teams of designers to develop new products that are as small as a pen and as large as backyard storage shed.  A tangible symbol of the manufacturer’s commitment to design and innovation, the center is a place where multiple disciplines can come to together to achieve better outcomes than they would have separately.

The Borgess Golf for Health welcomed 109 golfers at Gull Lake Country Club, outside Richland, on Monday, July 21, for the Borgess Foundation’s 23rd annual golf outing. The event raised $35,733, with proceeds from this year’s event supporting the Borgess Birthing Center.

AVB recently hired Dan Ruple as an IT Support Technician. He joins AVB in order to provide technology systems support and management. Ruple is currently attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College and plans to transfer to Davenport University to obtain a Bachelor’s in Technology Project Management.

AVB recently hired Mohanad Al-najjar as Project Estimator. He joins AVB with a background in civil engineering and will utilize his experience to estimate project costs and handle construction scheduling for commercial projects. Al-najjar received his Masters of Science in Construction Engineering and Management...

AVB recently hired Larry Brownyard as a Residential Project Manager. Brownyard joins AVB to manage communication between trade contractors, suppliers and clients, as well as overseeing operational aspects of home building projects. Brownyard has over twenty years of experience...

OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI – When Costco said "yes," developer Joe Gesmundo was relieved. "It was just really, really complicated," Gesmundo said of negotiating contracts and making plans for the 150,000-square-foot store, which will be the anchor tenant in a $70-million redevelopment of a wooded, residential area at the northwest corner of Stadium Drive and Drake Road.

After five years of building an alliance with one of the top design-build construction companies in southwest Michigan, the Vicksburg Village Council passed a resolution to allow the necessary infrastructure improvements so that construction of a condominium community to be known as Bridgeview at Angels Crossing can begin.

VICKSBURG, MI – It took longer than expected but the village of Vicksburg finally has an agreement with a Portage-based developer to build a multi-million-dollar condo project next to the Angels Crossing Golf Club. The two parties signed the agreement after the Vicksburg Village Council approved it Thursday in which the village will pay $540,000 for infrastructure such as roads, signs, lighting and landscaping...

AVB recently hired Shelbie Boschman as a Selections Coordinator.  Starting her career in interior design, Boschman’s role at AVB includes assisting in finish selections for various residences, facilitating documents such as change orders and selection sheets, as well as participating in the Parade of Homes.

AVB hires David Innes as Project Engineer AVB recently hired David Innesas a Project Engineer. His role at AVB includes material take offs, RFI’s, and updating project site drawings, documentation and submittals. A member of the American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE), Innes recently completed his senior year...

AVB recently hired Nathan J. Veenstra as Assistant Superintendent. His role with AVB includes scheduling, site safety, and ensuring quality control for our commercial construction projects. Veenstra is OSHA certified and has years of construction experience he now brings to AVB.

AVB recently hired Austin McCollum as a CAD Designer and Taylor Brown as a Marketing Intern. McCollum is responsible for creating construction documents for residential projects using programs such as AutoCAD and Revit. Brown’s role with AVB includes the marketing development of print and online media content.

PORTAGE, MI – Construction will begin this summer on the new Hilton Homewood Suites hotel at the Trade Centre along I-94 near South Westnedge Avenue. The 97-suites hotel next to the Courtyard by Marriott hotel that opened last year was cleared for construction this week by the Portage Planning Commission with final approval of the site plan.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Walgreens pharmacy that has been taking shape in downtown Kalamazoo in recently months is nearing completion. It is scheduled to open at 760 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo on Friday, March 28, according to the Deerfield, Ill.-based pharmacy chain

AVB recently hired Wendy Lockner as a Project Engineer.  Lockner is responsible for coordinating all necessary documents and communications for commercial projects. Lockner completed both her Bachelor of Science, as well as her Master of Public Health from the University of Connecticut, graduating with honors.

AVB recently hired Jacqueline DeNoyer as Project Manager as well as Elizabeth Lynch as Project Engineer. Recently returning from living and working in Tarija, Bolivia, DeNoyer has U.S. and international experience in the construction industry. Lynch holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Davenport University...

AVB recently hired Rebecca Belinski and Andrew Schipper as Project Engineers.  Their roles with AVB include setting up and maintaining online Project Document Manager (PDM), as well as handling RFIs, and project correspondence. Belinski first graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in English...

In a move to grow his team's recreational leagues and broaden its fan base in the city, Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman is building a $15 million to $20 million, 140,000-square-foot soccer facility on the city's North Side.

AVB recently hired Josie Marshall and Jessica Fritz as Office Interns. Marshall’s role consists of receiving and answering inquiries, and supporting the accounting team at AVB. Fritz handles calls and assists in maintaining office functions.

AVB recently hired Krista Manley as Human Resources Manager. With a strong history of Human Resource experience, Manley is now putting her experience to work at AVB. Manley graduated from Western Michigan University majoring in Management-Human Resources with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration.

OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, MI – Plans to build a Costco warehouse club store at Drake Road and Stadium Drive pushed ahead Thursday night with approval of its site plan application by the Oshtemo Township Planning Commission.