JACKSON - By springtime of 2003, some 1,500 Consumers Energy employees will be working in a new headquarters building that's being constructed downtown - and as part of the construction process, the Old Main Post Office will get new life, too.

Consumers Energy has been headquartered in Jackson since the utility's inception in 1886. In recent years, employees have been scattered in several different buildings in Jackson and Jackson County.

To bring most of the operations together, Granger Construction was hired to manage construction of a new 14-story office tower on the east end of downtown, which will incorporate an unused and historic 1932 post office building that will be restored and become part of the new building's entrance. Ground was broken on the project back in April.

"I think the re-use of the post office is a fantastic idea," said Jim Blum, senior project manager for Granger. "We're taking something that would have been an eyesore, an anchor to the community, and making it a source of community pride."

The old post office building will be made into conference rooms, a kitchen, a cafeteria and other general service areas.

The 12-acre redevelopment will include a new 430,000 square-foot office building, above-grade parking facilities, and a pedestrian mall. The project, which has a price tag up to $100 million, represents one of the largest construction projects even in Jackson.

"We firmly believe this project will play a major role in Jackson's continuing economic revitalization," said Consumers Energy Chairman William T. McCormick.

About 120 construction workers are currently on the project, which is expected to peak out at about 200 Hardhats this summer.

"This is your typical construction site in a city; it's congested and the layout area is pretty cramped," Blum said. "But the job has gone extremely well. The tradespeople out here are extremely productive and the subcontractors are working well together."

RATHER THAN tear down a 70-year-old post office in Jackson, the building will be cleaned up, gutted, and incorporated into the design of the new Consumers Energy headquarters, as shown in this rendering. Consumers Energy has been headquartered in Jackson since its inception in 1886.

A BRICKLAYER uses a masonry saw at the Consumers Energy headquarters project.