Howell Fire and Ice Depot District
C.E. Gleeson Constructors recently completed construction on the City of Howell’s Fire & Ice Depot District, a new four-season public gathering space in downtown Howell. The project was officially celebrated with a ribbon cutting on July 13, 2026, marking the completion of a long-anticipated civic investment designed to bring year-round activity to the depot area between Walnut Street and Michigan Avenue.
The new public space includes an all-purpose pavilion that serves as an ice-skating rink in the winter and an event venue during warmer months. The district also features a playable water feature, fire features, seating areas, concessions, lockers, restrooms, skate rental space, and improvements to Summit Gardens.
Gleeson’s scope included the construction of the pavilion ice rink, marketplace/support building, concessions, skate rental, lockers, restrooms, Zamboni room with melting pit, chiller/electrical room, storage areas, and outdoor gathering spaces. The drawings also included rink-related infrastructure, chilled water systems, concrete rink slab work, masonry, structural framing, TPO roofing, standing seam roof elements, site lighting, retaining walls, concrete walks, fire features, water feature infrastructure, pergola seating, and hardscape improvements.
The project adds a major new anchor to downtown Howell. In the summer, the interactive fountain and public gathering areas create a family-friendly destination for residents and visitors. In the winter, the pavilion transforms into an ice rink surrounded by fire features, giving the city a cold-weather attraction that supports nearby businesses and extends downtown activity beyond the warmer months.
For C.E. Gleeson Constructors, the Fire & Ice Depot District represents the type of civic project that blends public infrastructure, recreation, placemaking, and detailed construction execution. From the rink slab and chilled water piping to the pavilion, concessions, masonry, roofing, site concrete, and public-space finishes, the project was built to serve the Howell community through every season.
