Larson-Danielson Construction recently took part in an important event for the South Bend community, the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center. The event, hosted by the City of South Bend and spearheaded by South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts, marked the completion of a significant project aimed at honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and supporting the local community.
Celebrating over 40 years of history, the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center is continuing a proud legacy. The new facility now stands in place of the original 1973 building on Linden Avenue.
The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Friday, April 4, and started with a commemorative march at 10 AM from the Civil Rights Heritage Center. The march, which spanned approximately 0.7 miles, was a meaningful tribute to Dr. King, memorializing the day he was assassinated 57 years ago.
The march ended at the new Dream Center, located at 1522 Linden Avenue, where the ribbon-cutting ceremony and subsequent tours took place. Attendees were treated to live music and light refreshments, creating a welcoming atmosphere as they explored the new facility.
Polished Concrete
Polished concrete floors at the MLK Dream Center
Concrete Stairs
Concrete stairs at the MLK Dream Center
Interior Railings
Interior railings at the MLK Dream Center
Larson-Danielson’s Trade Package Services
Larson-Danielson provided trade package services to C.H. Garmong & Son, Inc., the construction manager/general contractor for the 35,000-square-foot facility. Our scope included BC-01 General Trades and BC-02 Building & Site Concrete, with our team self-performing significant portions of the work.
At Larson-Danielson, we are proud of our contributions to the new Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center. Our work encompassed a range of projects under our concrete and general trades packages.
Our concrete work encompassed foundations, slabs on grade, and various outdoor features such as basketball courts, a splash pad, and a shelter pavilion. We were also responsible for the polished concrete flooring throughout the interior of the facility.
Our general trades work included installing toilet partitions, the lockers and exterior building signage for the “MLK Dream Center.” We also were responsible for installing basketball hoops, equipment, wall padding, and a divider curtain in the indoor gym.
The general trades scope also included fireproofing in the MEP room and installing the elevator, site fencing, coiling counter doors, and window treatments. Additionally, we managed all kitchen equipment installations, site and balcony railings, and the folding partition wall in the multipurpose room. Our final piece of the project, the poured-in-place playground surfacing, is still in progress.
Casework
Benches and casework at the MLK Dream Center
Millwork and Casework
Millwork and casework at the MLK Dream Center
Patio Railing
The patio railings at the MLK Dream Center
Craftsmanship in Action: Our Work at the MLK Center
At the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, you’ll find the craftsmanship of Larson-Danielson’s skilled tradespeople throughout the facility. Our team self-performed a significant portion of the concrete work, including the foundations, slabs on grade, outdoor basketball courts, splash pad, and shelter pavilion.
We also took on much of the general trades work ourselves. Our experts installed all the hallow metal doors, as well as the interior wood doors and hardware. We were responsible for installing the ballet barres, fire extinguisher cabinets, AED cabinets, toilet accessories, the scoreboards and bleachers in the gym, as well as all casework, millwork and countertops throughout the center.
On the exterior, our craftsmanship is evident as well. Our team installed the outdoor basketball equipment, flag pole, site benches, trash receptacles, bike racks, and playground equipment.
Gym Bleachers
Bleachers in the gym at the MLK Dream Center
Scoreboard
A scoreboard installed at the MLK Dram Center
Ballet Barre
A ballet barre we installed at the MLK Dream Center
A Legacy of Transforming Community Spaces
The 35,0000 square foot community center will offer a wide range of inter-generational programming and activities for all residents. The new facility features two indoor basketball courts, a commercial kitchen, a Brotherhood Balcony, a splash pad, an indoor walking track, a podcasting studio, and rooms for programming.
The completion of the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center is a proud moment for the South Bend region. We at Larson-Danielson are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a facility that will serve as a valuable resource for the community, reflecting the enduring legacy of Dr. King’s vision for equality and service.
This project highlights our dedication to quality and the collaborative spirit that drives our work. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this center will have on the South Bend community.