Michigan's first mass timber building built with Michigan wood. Michigan Department of Natural resources
The newly opened DNR Customer Service Center in Newberry is more than just another new structure.
It happens to be Michigan’s first mass timber building built with Michigan wood. The 10,000-square-foot building was constructed with cross-laminated panels made with Michigan red pine, marking a significant step forward in sustainable construction in the Great Lakes State.
According to Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, “Mass timber buildings are cropping up across North America, along with factories that manufacture these versatile, sustainable, engineered wood building materials. That’s because mass timber offers a compelling suite of benefits.”
Those include progress toward forest health management goals, rural economic development and new opportunities in manufacturing.
What’s happening: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently opened the DNR Customer Service Center in Newberry. The 10,000-square-foot building is constructed of mass timber, using locally sourced Michigan red pine. The use of mass timber not only supports a low-carbon construction approach but also showcases the potential of regional species in modern building systems.
What is mass timber: Mass timber construction uses one to two-inch boards layered and glued together into large, strong wood panels. It protects the environment by employing a material that uses less fossil fuel to produce and stores carbon rather than releasing it.
Building with mass timber also can reduce construction times, costs, crew sizes and equipment needs, and create beautiful buildings that people love to work, learn and live in, according to MSU, one of two Michigan universities working with the DNR to develop mass timber construction technologies and promote mass timber construction. In the U.P., Michigan Technological University is exploring the production of mass timber materials, using hardwood such as red maple and cross-laminated technology. MSU is working with softwoods such as pine and focusing on education and outreach. When groundbreaking for the DNR building occurred in 2024, there were five buildings in Michigan either built or in progress using mass timber. Today, there are 60
About the customer service center: The customer service center fills many rolls. Its primary function is an office for various DNR staff assigned to work in the region. Forestry, fire, wildlife, fisheries, parks and recreation, and conservation, etc. All divisions of DNR have staff that report to that office and have desk space assigned to them. It is also a location where public meetings regarding DNR issues will take place and where the public can purchase permits, licenses, and inquire about issues.
What has been the response: The response has been overall very positive and energetic. “There are always concerns and questions about issues such as fire risk, affordability, and long-term maintenance with a new design structure like this. Mass timber structures have been proven to be equal or better to structural designs using steel and concrete for fire, heating and cooling, and maintenance,” said Brenda Haskill, who is timber sales and utilization unit manager for the Michigan DNR Forest Resources Division.
Does DNR plan to build any more buildings with the cross-laminated panels: "I would never rule that out, but I do know that there are no plans in the immediate future to use that building design and method again. The location and type of building was specifically chosen to showcase the extraordinary building opportunities using Michigan sourced timber and also highlight the vast importance of the forest products industry to the eastern Upper Peninsula," Haskill said.
What’s next: The DNR plans to host a public open house this summer at the Newberry CSC, located at 5666 M-123. Meanwhile, the new facility is open for business.
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