The 21,515-square-foot expansion of temperature-controlled environments at a meat distribution facility in Richmond, Michigan, has enabled Weeks Food to increase its storage capacity and improve its operational efficiency.
The project received a 2026 CoStar Impact Award for commercial development of the year for Detroit, as judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
Arco National Construction managed the expansion project at 36901 Division Road in Richmond, adding a 10,231-square-foot cooler maintained at 34 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit, a 6,232-square-foot cold dock maintained at 36 degrees Fahrenheit and a 4,795-square-foot freezer operating at negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The expansion significantly increased Weeks Food's storage capacity and enhanced its operational efficiency for the distribution of frozen beef, pork, poultry and seafood. The additional space also supports increased distribution of fresh chicken to Kentucky Fried Chicken and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations throughout Michigan and northern Ohio, which strengthens the regional food supply chain and supports continued economic activity.
The project also included new municipal utility connections as well as the decommissioning and removal of a sanitary field system. As part of the expansion, Arco also added fire-rated insulated metal panel construction, 28-foot clear heights, six dock positions, a split-freon refrigeration system and a 1,200-amp electrical service designed for intensive cold-storage operations.
About the project: During the seven-month time frame, Arco added the cooler, the cold dock and the freezer and other improvements. The insulated metal panels create district temperature-controlled storage environments while maximizing energy efficiency. The vertical dock levelers allow dock doors to close flush with the floor, preserving the integrity of the exterior building envelope while maintaining strict cleanliness standards. High-speed overhead doors minimize temperature fluctuation while enabling efficient movement between spaces.
The exterior walls required specialized structural reinforcement to support refrigeration equipment mounted on the roof and suspended within cold storage spaces. Arco engineered the warehouse joist system to accommodate both dead loads and Michigan’s heavy snow loads.
Arco selected a commercial freon refrigeration system given the facility’s size as it is more efficient than ammonia or industrial freon systems for larger buildings. The split-freon system included rooftop condensing units paired with interior evaporators, with each condensing unit serving two evaporators.
It also added a new roadway and access drive, improving traffic flow and on-site circulation for Weeks Food's operations. The existing facility remained fully operational during the expansion project.
What the judges said: “The Weeks Food Corp. expansion delivers a highly specialized, purpose-built cold-storage facility that significantly strengthens Michigan’s regional food distribution network. The project includes a 21,515-square-foot temperature-controlled expansion with advanced engineering, new utility infrastructure and multiple custom-designed freezer, cooler and cold-dock environments. Completed while the existing facility remained fully operational, the project improves efficiency and supports increased distribution to major restaurant brands across Michigan and northern Ohio. Its combination of technical complexity, community impact and successful delivery under operational constraints makes it an exceptionally meaningful commercial development,” said Carmen Hernandez, marketing director for the VHG CRE Team at Marcus & Millichap.
They made it happen: Crista Dillinger, digital marketing officer at Arco National Construction; Curtis Hoffman, operations manager at Arco National Construction; Mitch Hudepohl, director of business development at Arco National Construction; Jenna Martini, vice president at Arco National Construction; and Brian Weeks, president of Weeks Food.