CLEVELAND, September 12, 2024 – In a major step toward decarbonizing the port, modernizing its facilities and enhancing its operational capabilities, the Port of Cleveland has approved $2.9 million to hire The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company as the construction manager for an important upgrade at its 49-year-old General Cargo Terminal. This project will rehabilitate a key warehouse and enhance the terminal’s electrical infrastructure as a first step for decarbonization, ensuring the port remains competitive and sustainable for decades to come.

Whiting-Turner, a national construction management firm with a local office in Cleveland, was selected through a competitive public process. The company will partner with The AKA Team, a Cleveland-based minority construction management firm, which will handle 30% or more of the contract. This collaboration reflects the Port’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in its major projects.

The modernization efforts will include:

• The Rehabilitation of Warehouse A: A comprehensive overhaul of the terminal’s largest warehouse, including structural steel repairs, installation of a new overhead crane, window replacements, a new concrete slab, updated lighting, and a new roof. Built in 1975, Warehouse A requires significant updates to accommodate evolving technologies critical to the Port’s operations.
• Electrification: Bring in new medium/high voltage Cleveland Public Power (CPP) feed to Warehouse A to establish the Terminal’s electric distribution hub. This new electric distribution hub will support future electrification efforts, including cargo handling equipment, charging stations, switching locomotives, powering ships at dock, mobile harbor cranes, and potential solar arrays on warehouse roofs.
• Enhanced Stormwater Management: Installation of stormwater collection and treatment infrastructure to ensure clean discharge into Lake Erie. This effort will build resilience against climate change impacts, such as increased storm intensity and heavy rainfall.
• West 3rd Lot Cargo Movement Efficiency Improvements: Demolish existing cargo handling equipment maintenance facility and hiring hall building and reconstruct as annexed wings off Warehouse A.

Whiting-Turner brings extensive experience managing public and private industrial, warehouse, and electrical infrastructure projects with state and federal funding. As a Construction Manager at Risk

(CMAR), Whiting-Turner is engaged from the design phase to provide pre-construction input, manage all construction contracts, and ensure the project stays within the guaranteed maximum price.

When completed, the work involved will ensure ongoing efficiency of Port facilities and prepare the Port for upcoming electrification efforts.

The modernization project is funded through two major grants:

• $27.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program to improve safety, efficiency and reliability of movement in and around the Port.
• $4.9 million from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Maritime Assistance Program for projects enhancing efficiency and capacity of cargo terminal operations.

William Friedman, President and CEO of the Port of Cleveland, underscored the importance of this investment.

“Hiring a Construction Manager at Risk makes good business and economic sense,” he said. “Whiting-Turner is highly qualified and will ensure these projects stay on track and within budget. We are committed to safeguarding taxpayer investments and keeping the Port operational for the future.”

This initiative is part of a broader $93.8 million investment in Port infrastructure since 2015, with over 75% of funding provided by state and federal grants. The upgrades align with the Port’s recently implemented Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, making Cleveland the first Great Lakes port to adopt such an ambitious environmental goal.