SME provided a wide range of engineering and consulting services for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a 14-story, 440,000-square-foot pediatric healthcare facility in downtown Grand Rapids. The $190 million, 206-bed hospital was designed exclusively for infants, children, and adolescents and includes private inpatient rooms, an emergency department, and an expanded neonatal intensive care unit. As one of West Michigan’s most recognizable healthcare facilities, the project transformed the Grand Rapids medical corridor and expanded access to specialized pediatric care throughout the region.

Throughout planning, design, and construction, SME provided integrated geotechnical, environmental, vibration monitoring, and construction-phase support services. Our team conducted comprehensive subsurface investigations, including borings and pressuremeter testing, to evaluate site conditions and support foundation design. SME also assisted with earth retention system design and provided field observation services during installation of soldier beams, lagging systems, and tieback anchors required to support excavation and construction activities.

The project involved complex interactions with existing structures and infrastructure, including parking facilities, underground connections, and neighboring healthcare and research buildings. SME performed demolition evaluations, foundation testing, hazardous materials assessments, environmental investigations, pavement condition surveys, and vibration monitoring to help minimize construction impacts on surrounding facilities. Our team also conducted condition surveys and ongoing monitoring of the tunnel connecting the Michigan Street medical campus to the hospital, supporting safe construction while protecting critical healthcare infrastructure.

Through a combination of geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, construction materials testing, and field observation services, SME helped support the successful delivery of one of Michigan’s premier pediatric healthcare facilities, providing critical infrastructure that continues to serve children and families throughout West Michigan and beyond.