Plumbers Local 98 officially opened the doors of its new union hall with an open house on Nov. 4.

Local 98 marked the move from its Detroit location to the union's new digs at 555 Horace Brown Dr. in Madison Heights with a celebration that included United Association of Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Sprinkler Fitters General President Martin Maddaloni and General Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Patchell. Current Business Manager Gary Young presided over a ceremony honoring the efforts of past business managers Joe Perry, Joe Sposita, Jim Jolly and Carlo Castiglione.

"This building puts a far better face on the union plumber," Young said. "I don't know of any negatives of moving here. We've needed a newer building and we're proud of the end result. Our members have been supportive throughout the renovation and are deserving of a first-class facility."

Young said sufficient parking was a major concern, and they now have about 140 parking spaces in their own lot and plenty of additional parking is available on adjacent lots.

"A building like this will help Local 98 to continue to be a powerhouse in the future," Maddaloni said to a capacity crowd of members and visitors at the open house. "Local 98 is very active in training, in the political arena and is a respected part of the community, and you are to be commended. You should be proud of this building and of being members of Local 98."

Local 98 had been in their office in Detroit on Seven Mile Rd. since 1985, but it was primarily a training center and was about one-third the size of their new facility.

The move to their new brown-brick office building took place in mid-August. Located in an office park next to the hall they rented on union meeting nights, the now Local 98 union hall was built in 1987. Union offices and the meeting hall are on the first floor, and the second story is available for rent as office space.

Before the move was made, the first-floor interior was gutted and renovated with new electrical, plumbing, and a unique floor plan that served the union's needs. Former Business Manager Joe Perry was superintendent on behalf of general contractor Cronk and Tocco.

In the last two years, Pipe Fitters Local 636 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 also made moves into new union halls, which helped Local 98's transition. "There's no doubt, we borrowed ideas from those locals that went before us," Young said. "I think looking at what they did helped us make ours that much better for our membership."