The U.S. General Service Administration is investing more than $53 million in sustainable infrastructure improvements in Michigan, including $34.1 million at the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in downtown Detroit.

The projects are a beneficiary of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which includes $3.4 billion for GSA to build, modernize and maintain more sustainable and cost-efficient high-performance facilities across the U.S., according to a news release.

The investment at the McNamara building calls for the installation of 22 electric vehicle charging stations, improving electrical and lighting systems and making the parking structure more durable using low embodied carbon construction materials. The project is planned to start in 2025 with Pullman SST Inc., which has a location in Detroit, as the designer-contractor, according to the GSA release. 

In addition, the McNamara building is expected to receive another estimated $7 million to repair the building’s facade and another $7 million toward the garage renovation for a $48 million total investment in the McNamara building and garage through the Inflation Reduction Act, a GSA spokesperson told Crain’s.

The investments are “a triple win” by creating American jobs, reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayer money and ensuring healthier communities, said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, who was to make the announcement at the IBEW-NECA Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center in Warren on Tuesday morning.

For the McNamara building renovations, the materials chosen are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of approximately 17 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the release said. Materials include concrete meeting GSA’s top 40% global warming potential and steel meeting the top most stringent 20% GWP limit with additional steel meeting 40% GWP.

Other GSA facilities in Michigan that will receive funding include:

• Ambassador Bridge, Detroit: $1.3 million for cargo building paving
• Sault Ste. Marie land ports of entry: $3.1 million for wall repairs
• Rosa Parks Federal Building, Detroit: $658,000 for repairs to concrete floor, wall, haunch, beam and ceiling in the garage
• Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, Detroit: $35,000 for miscellaneous advanced meters
• Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, Battle Creek: $23,000 for miscellaneous advanced meters

The award furthers the Biden administration’s Buy Clean Initiative, which aims to purchase and prioritize construction materials — asphalt, concrete glass and steel — that have lower levels of greenhouse emissions associated with their production, use and disposal, the release stated. Its goal is a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045.