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.
Escanaba union builds new training facility on 27th Avenue North
Oct. 11, 2025
Top line
Construction is underway at a site on 27th Avenue North immediately west of the UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111 hall in Escanaba. The project will expand the labor union’s training space and add visible teaching features that show building systems normally hidden behind walls and ceilings. The entire project will cost about $3 million and is being financed. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
What the project will add
The new building will increase the square footage available for training by 300 percent. It will 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 part of the project in addition to the new construction; the current facility is being upgraded to add more welding booths and to improve the ventilation system.
Who is behind the project
The project is for the United Association Plumbers, Pipefitters and HVAC/R Technicians Local 111. Local 111 represents the workforce of the Upper Peninsula and Niagara, Wis. About 450 active members belong to Local 111. Local 111 has offices and facilities in Escanaba and Marquette.
On-site details and timeline
In April, Local 111 broke ground on land next door at 2611 N. 27th Ave. The construction site sits immediately west of the union hall. The Escanaba hall is located at 2601 N. 30th St. The Escanaba hall has a 4,000-square-foot training center attached. The Escanaba hall and training center were built in 1998 to replace a previous, smaller office and training center at 1625 Sheridan Road.
Why the expansion is happening
Training Coordinator John Antoncew speaks for the UP Plumbers & Pipefitters Educational Fund and said there is a big demand for skilled tradespeople right now, and technology is always changing. Antoncew listed examples of change including new welding processes, BIM (Building Information Modeling), new pipe-joining methods, and constant advances in heating and refrigeration equipment. Antoncew said the union has really outgrown the current facility. The existing training center is used for training around 55 apprentices and to keep journeypersons up to date on techniques, code and safety.
Contractors and contributors
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.
Cost and funding
The entire project will cost about $3 million and is being financed.
Historical context
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.
Typical member work
Antoncew described current member work 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 things. Antoncew said it’s a lot more than just setting toilets and welding pipe.
Other local details
Local 111’s Marquette premises are at 119 S. Front St. The union’s website states: From welding and fitting pipes in a wastewater plant, paper mill, mine, or power plant to installing steam systems beneath a city street, we are the men and women who keep critical systems intact.
Additional local notices
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, the local paper will not publish. The Dickinson County Community Chorus began rehearsals on Sept. 9 for the “Sounds of …” program.
Photo credit: R. R. Branstrom/Daily Press
FAQ
Q: Where is the construction taking place?
A: Construction is underway at a site on 27th Avenue North immediately west of the UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 111 hall in Escanaba.
Q: What will the new building include?
A: The new building will include a dedicated classroom, a computer lab, a plumbing lab, an HVAC/R lab, and an industrial piping lab.
Q: Will any systems be exposed for demonstration?
A: 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.
Q: How much will the project cost?
A: The entire project will cost about $3 million and is being financed.
Q: When did the project begin on this site?
A: In April, Local 111 broke ground on land next door at 2611 N. 27th Ave.
Q: Who is managing construction work?
A: 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.
Q: How much additional training space will be created?
A: The new building will increase the square footage available for training by 300 percent.
Q: What current training space exists in Escanaba?
A: The Escanaba hall has a 4,000-square-foot training center attached. The Escanaba hall and training center were built in 1998 to replace a previous, smaller office and training center at 1625 Sheridan Road.
Q: How many apprentices does the existing training center serve?
A: The existing training center is used for training around 55 apprentices and to keep journeypersons up to date on techniques, code and safety.
Q: Who does Local 111 represent?
A: Local 111 represents the workforce of the Upper Peninsula and Niagara, Wis. About 450 active members belong to Local 111.
Q: When is construction expected to finish?
A: Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project location | 2611 N. 27th Ave., immediately west of 2601 N. 30th St., Escanaba |
| Owner | United Association Plumbers, Pipefitters and HVAC/R Technicians Local 111 |
| Cost | $3 million (being financed) |
| Training increase | 300 percent more square footage for training |
| New spaces | Classroom, computer lab, plumbing lab, HVAC/R lab, industrial piping lab |
| Special teaching feature | Portions of walls will be exposed to show plumbing and mechanical systems |
| General contractor | Roy Ness Contracting |
| Other major firms | Dynamic Design Group; Master Electric; United Contractors Inc.; Johnson Controls |
| Existing training space | 4,000-square-foot training center attached to Escanaba hall |
| Apprentices trained now | Around 55 apprentices |
| Expected completion | By the end of the year |
Copyright © 2025 Ogden News Publishing of Michigan, Inc.
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
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