Good Work. Good People. Plenty to Be Thankful For.
November brings a new investment in Detroit, a completed retail project in Canton, and major progress in Dearborn. At Jarbou Ronnisch Construction, we’re also celebrating the people whose leadership and experience help move that work forward.
Here’s a look at what’s happening across JRC.
Putting Down Deeper Roots in Detroit
After more than 30 years, 80 projects, and over 1 million square feet built in Detroit, JRC is making another long-term investment in the city.
We’ve acquired the historic Capitol Square Building at 1265 Griswold Street in Capitol Park from Bedrock. Our Detroit team plans to occupy approximately 6,000 square feet on the fourth floor in the second quarter of 2027.
Designed by Detroit architects Spier & Rohns and built in 1897, the six-story building has been part of the city’s landscape for generations. It will now become a permanent home for our growing Detroit team.
JRC plans to invest $3 million to $4 million in capital improvements, including facade renovations and tenant build-outs. We will serve as owner and landlord, with our sister company, Symmetry Management, managing the property.
“We looked at a lot of possibilities for this move, and we certainly could have leased space. But we’re committed to Detroit, and we wanted our investment to reflect that,” said Frank Jarbou, Owner & Principal. “It was the right time, the right building and the right neighborhood for us to double down in the city.”
Our recent feature in Crain’s Detroit Business takes a closer look at the purchase and what it means for JRC’s future in Detroit.
From Construction Site to Shopping Destination
There’s a moment in a retail project when the space starts to belong to the people who will use it. Merchandise arrives, displays go up, and the work of a construction team becomes the setting for a store’s everyday activity.
That transition has taken place at Nordstrom Rack in Canton.
Working with development owner Symmetry Management, JRC transformed an existing retail space into a new shopping destination at New Towne Center. With construction complete and the racks filled, the finished store shows what reinvestment in an existing property can make possible.
Congratulations to the project team and trade partners who helped bring the space across the finish line.
A New View of Kroger Marketplace in Dearborn
If your last look at our Kroger Marketplace project in Dearborn was at groundbreaking, there’s a lot to catch up on.
The 122,000-square-foot, ground-up store has made significant progress. Behind the changing view is daily coordination: managing deliveries, working through questions, keeping crews moving, and preparing for the next phase.
Superintendent Corey Fraiser is leading that effort in the field alongside the JRC project team. We appreciate the attention and follow-through they bring to a project of this scale and look forward to sharing more as the store takes shape.
Recognizing the Experience Behind the Work
We’re pleased to celebrate four team members taking on greater responsibility:
- Jason Haney, promoted to Safety Director
- Matt Distelrath, promoted to Senior Superintendent
- Derrick Bowers, promoted to Senior Superintendent
- Ryan Willis, promoted to Senior Superintendent
These roles influence how our projects run and how our teams work together. From safety leadership to decisions made on site every day, Jason, Matt, Derrick, and Ryan bring experience that makes a difference throughout JRC.
Congratulations to all four on these well-earned promotions.
What Happens Between “Almost Done” and Done?
A building can look finished before it’s ready for its owner.
The final stretch may include inspections, systems testing, punch-list work, equipment demonstrations, and the handoff of warranties and operating information. Retail projects also need to account for fixtures, merchandise, staff training, and opening plans. Offices and healthcare spaces may require coordination around furniture, technology, equipment, and move-in schedules.
Those details deserve attention well before the final weeks of construction.
For owners planning a project, one useful question is: What needs to happen between construction completion and our first day in the space?
The answer belongs in the schedule from the beginning. It’s a conversation JRC starts during preconstruction to help everyone work toward a clear, shared finish.
Thankful for the People We Build With
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re grateful for the clients who trust us with their projects, the trade partners who work alongside us, and the JRC team members who bring their knowledge and care to the job each day.
We see what those relationships make possible every time a project takes shape.
Thank you for being part of our work. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Jarbou Ronnisch Construction.
Building on Solid Ground.