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A.M. Higley Jams On $135M Rock & Roll HOF Expansion
By Cindy Riley CEG CORRESPONDENT
Springsteen. Elvis. Aretha. Dylan.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) in Cleveland, Ohio, has a long tradition of honoring music royalty. Now, a $135 million expansion project is under way that will increase the museum’s exhibition space and renovate the familiar glass pyramid designed by legendary architect I.M. Pei.
“Expanding the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum footprint provides greater public access to the ideals of rock and roll,” said Tim Offtermat, RRHOF construction project executive.
“Our mission is to engage, teach and inspire. Expanding public access to that mission is exciting.”
The Rock Hall, as it’s also known, documents the history of rock music and the artists, producers, engineers and others who have influenced its development. This major tourist attraction welcomes more than half a million guests each year, with an annual regional impact of $225 million. Offtermat said the latest construction will take things to the next level.
“There is much momentum for development in Cleveland at this time, and the Rock Hall is at the forefront of these projects. For example, the city of Cleveland has identified a ‘shore to core to shore’ focus on development in and around the central city. Billions of dollars in development along the Lake Erie shore and in the Cuyahoga River Valley, complement a new corporate headquarters of Sherwin Williams in Cleveland, among other developments.”
The creative force behind the expansion is PAU, the Practice for Architecture and Urbanism. Plans call for a triangular-shaped building that will interlock with the original glass structure and will feature black steel and specular granite. Construction will include an indoor event and perform-
Jason Smalcer/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame photo
A $135 million expansion project is under way at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that will increase exhibition space and renovate the familiar glass pyramid designed by legendary architect I.M. Pei.
ance area, education spaces and a student center.
Offtermat said the project will better serve the community and fans by allowing the museum to remain open during special events that formerly required closing it. The ongoing construction also will facilitate access to the lakefront, long a goal of civic Cleveland, and will provide more non-ticketed space for the community to enjoy at the Rock Hall.
A.M. Higley serves as contractor for the transformational project.
“Not only have they worked many times with the Rock Hall, but they are a
strong regional player that can read the availability of material and labor for the project,” Offtermat noted.
While plans have not been finalized, a lakefront connector would play an important role in the expansion.
see HOF page 2
Jason Smalcer/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame photo
The most difficult/time-consuming part of the job will be constructing unique portions of the design, such as a concrete elliptical wall and a large expansive green roof.
Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.”
Cranes, Earthmovers Take Center Stage On HOF Project
“That is a different project being conducted by the city of Cleveland. The Rock Hall project is not dependent on the lakefront connector. However, if that project comes to fruition, it will provide another means of access to the lakefront and the Rock Hall.”
Planning the new wing and museum renovations has been a delicate undertaking, but organizers feel they’ve struck the right chord.
“The project is built on a landfill and is located between two existing structures that will remain open during construction.”
Late last fall, concrete and deep founda-
“We believe the design complements without contrasting with the Pei design,” said Offtermat, adding that the main challenge for workers is the job site itself.
tion work were taking place. The project was in the early stages of construction administration, while drawings were being finalized.
“About one-half of the major construction contracts have been let, so there are still about one-half to do,” Offtermat explained. “Purchasing of materials still must be completed, and the bulk of the construction is yet to take place.”
According to Offtermat, some specific areas of the existing facility will be torn down, but no significant demolition has been required.
Site work began in fall 2023. Roughly 300 truckloads of soil were removed, with 40 truckloads of concrete already poured.
Construction has included the excavation of vertical shafts for caissons extending more than 100 ft. deep through layers of lakefront landfill. Nearly 200 were completed as part of the project.
Considerable heavy machinery is required for the expansion and renovation, including two large cranes and earthmoving equipment. The most difficult/time-consuming part of the job will be constructing unique portions of the design, such as a concrete elliptical wall and a large expansive green roof.
Offtermat said it’s challenging keeping the current space open during construction, but not impossible.
“We are used to projects taking place in the museum, and we are planning on getting the work done with as minimal disruption as possible. It does take some effort to step back from the day-to-day and project into see HOF page 6
HOF from page 1
Jason Smalcer/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame photo Site work began in fall 2023. Roughly 300 truckloads of soil were removed, with 40 truckloads of concrete already poured.
Jason Smalcer/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame photo
Construction has included the excavation of vertical shafts for caissons extending more than 100 ft. deep through layers of lakefront landfill. Nearly 200 were completed as part of the project.
Crews Construct Nearly 200 Caissons for HOF Expansion
Jason Smalcer/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame photo
Considerable heavy machinery is required for the expansion and renovation, including two large cranes and earthmoving equipment.
the future for the thousands who will enjoy the end-product.”
New construction completion is scheduled for mid to late summer 2026, while updating Ertegun Hall is expected to be completed in 2027. The latter is a subsequent phase and is not included in the current cost.
In July 2024, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced it had received $7 million in gifts to support its expansion, coming from the Cleveland Foundation, the KeyBank Foundation and Ken and Martha Taylor. The
naming a community park that will be built as part of the construction. The Taylor family owns and operates Ohio CAT and Ohio Peterbilt.
Looking ahead, Offtermat said the expansion and renovation will celebrate rock and roll, while serving as an inspiration for future generations of fans.
“The spirit is kept alive by continuing to expand the audience for all music influencing the love of rock and roll. We hope visitors find the project more interactive and easy to enjoy.” CEG
Students Explore Careers in Equipment Tech, Operation
More than 500 students from across Ohio gathered on Dec. 12 to explore rewarding careers in the equipment industry during the AED Foundation (AEDF) Industry Pathways: Career Experience event in Circleville, Ohio. Held at the Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center in Pickaway County, the daylong program introduced high school students to hands-on opportunities in diesel engine repair, equipment operation and workforce readiness, including mock job interviews.
Organized by the Youth Workforce Development Foundation (YWDF) in partnership with AEDF and SkillsUSA Ohio, the event brought together students from 16 area schools and career centers to engage directly with industry employers. This initiative is part of the Apprenticeships Build America program, funded by nearly $8 million in federal grants aimed at addressing the national workforce shortage in the machinery sector.
“The AED Foundation is grateful to the Youth Workforce Development Foundation and SkillsUSA Ohio for their support in making this experience possible,” said Sean Fitzgerrel, AED Foundation senior director of workforce development and industry initiatives. “The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the highly rewarding, indemand and high-tech career opportunities within the equipment industry, but more importantly, to connect these students with rewarding career paths that will shape their futures and contribute to the growth and success of the equipment industry.”
The event provided students with free access to interactive hands-on experiences, including operating equipment in a controlled environment; practicing job interview skills with industry professionals; and networking with employers eager to grow their workforce.
Participants also enjoyed giveaways and prizes while gaining valuable insights into careers that do not require a four-year college degree.
AEDF is actively addressing the serious shortage of skilled professionals in the equipment distribution industry through expansion of its “community-based, school-towork” school partnership strategy. AEDF is putting dealers, manufacturers and educators together, working toward the common goal of growing a new generation of highly in demand, highly skilled and highly rewarding technical positions in the equipment industry.
Industry Partners include Ohio CAT; AGCO; Bobcat Enterprises; Company Wrench; Columbus Equipment Company; Ditch Witch Mid-States; Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company; United Rentals; and Vermeer Heartland Schools that participated include Circleville High School; Delaware Area Career Center; Eastern High School (Reedsville); Fairfield Local High School; Greenfield McClain High School; Huntington High School; Logan Elm High School; Logan Hocking Local High School; Mid-East Career Center (Zanesville); Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center; Piketon High School; Pioneer Career and Technology Center; River Valley High School; Upper Valley Career Center; Washington County Career Center; and West Liberty-Salem High School.
More than 500 students
AED photo
AEDF President Emeritus Robert Henderson speaks to participants.
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