RACER Trust, George W. Auch Company Reach Agreement On Sale of University Drive Property in Pontiac, Mich.

PONTIAC, Mich. — RACER Trust today announced it has reached an agreement with George W. Auch Company (“AUCH”) for the sale of 3.66 acres off University Drive in downtown Pontiac, property that is expected to become the new corporate headquarters for one of the region's most respected construction management firms. The redevelopment of this property, located at the east entrance to the Pontiac Downtown Business District, will be a significant milestone in the area's ongoing revitalization.

AUCH, which was founded in 1908, said it plans to construct a two-story building up to 20,000 square feet designed to support future expansion. AUCH will retain 40 to 50 engineering, construction management and administrative jobs in the city, in addition to the jobs that will be created during the design and construction phases of the project. The company will move from offices on South Paddock Street in Pontiac when construction is complete and plans to participate in the future redevelopment of that site. 

“AUCH has a well-established reputation for excellence in planning, management and service, and RACER Trust is thrilled that we were able to play a role in keeping a community institution at home in Pontiac,” said Elliott P. Laws, of EPLET, LLC, Administrative Trustee of RACER Trust. “More than 100 years in business speaks for itself. We congratulate AUCH on its success, and wish the company another 100-plus years of growth and prosperity. We could not happier for the people of AUCH or Pontiac, and to be a part of the community’s impressive rebound economically.”

“We are very pleased that after a thorough search of the tri-county area for a location for our new corporate office building, we will continue to call the City of Pontiac home,” said Vince DeLeonardis, President of AUCH. “Our decision to remain in Pontiac has resonated well with our employees who are all looking forward to new innovative and collaborative workspace in a walkable downtown setting. We also placed a high value on the support and leadership of Mayor Waterman and her administration in making our decision.” 

AUCH already is participating in redevelopment efforts in Pontiac. The company is providing construction management services for M1 Concourse, the auto enthusiasts' destination currently under construction on former RACER Trust property off Woodward Avenue in Pontiac.  

Overall, AUCH employs nearly 100 construction professionals and support staff in its management of approximately $150 million of annual volume in the educational, health care and municipal markets. A few of the AUCH projects under way in planning and construction include Masco Corporation’s world headquarters in Livonia, Mich.; Brightmoor Christian Church’s expansion in Novi, Mich.; and McLaren Health Care’s corporate headquarters in Grand Blanc, Mich. AUCH also provides planning and construction management services for nearly 20 Michigan school districts and is active on more than 15 medical system campuses. In addition, AUCH provides construction services to higher education clients such as the University of Michigan, Schoolcraft College and Oakland University, as well as numerous municipalities including Oakland County, Macomb County and Rochester Hills.

AUCH has had its headquarters in Pontiac since 1985. It is consistently ranked in the top 10 of Southeast Michigan construction firms, and is the only construction company to earn a Top 100 Workplace Award from the Detroit Free Press/Workplace Dynamics employee survey.

“Retaining AUCH as a long-standing and respected business is a great accomplishment for the city,” Pontiac Mayor Dr. Deirdre Waterman said. “We're pleased that they will continue to make Pontiac their headquarters base and contribute to the growth of our economy. The ongoing partnership with RACER Trust has resulted in the sale and renovation of most of their last remaining vacant industrial properties as Pontiac attracts businesses that are bringing jobs and renewed vitality to the city.”

RACER Trust last week announced the sale of a vacant parcel in Pontiac to HB Dynamics, which will build a warehouse and office for its brokerage and distribution business. RACER’s other purchasers in Pontiac, in addition to M1 Concourse, have included Industrial Realty Group, which redeveloped the former GM Pontiac Centerpoint Central and West properties for multi-tenant use, and Ultimate Soccer Arenas, which purchased vacant land to expand and create the world’s largest amateur indoor soccer arena. The sales have resulted in expected investments totaling $100 million and 950 jobs.

About RACER Trust: RACER (Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response) Trust was created to clean up and position for redevelopment properties and other facilities owned by the former General Motors Corp. before its 2009 bankruptcy. RACER is one of the largest holders of industrial property in the United States and is the largest environmental response and remediation trust in U.S. history. When the Trust was formed, it owned properties at 89 locations in 14 states, principally in the Midwest and Northeast. The Trust was created by a settlement agreement in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court between the U.S. Government, the 14 states where the former GM properties are located, and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, which owns land adjoining one of the properties in Upstate New York. For more information, please visit our website: www.racertrust.org.

About George W. Auch Company: Since 1908, AUCH has been providing planning, pre-construction and construction services in Southeast Michigan. Its concentrated presence in the area results in an unparalleled understanding of the local market and community. Major markets include Education, Healthcare, Municipal and Specialty projects — building quality facilities to reflect the client’s vision for over 108 years. AUCH employs nearly 100 full-time construction professionals and support staff. Executive managers, project managers and field supervisors are seasoned career professionals with an average of 17 years with AUCH and 25 years in the industry. For more information, please visit www.auchconstruction.com.