Farmer Development, Inc.

02/24/2026

You can’t always control market rates or local occupancy trends, but you can control how your facility looks when a potential customer drives by. 🚗💨

In a challenging market, "good enough" maintenance doesn't cut it. A clean, well-maintained site signals safety, professionalism, and value to your tenants. Investing in your property’s exterior is one of the most effective ways to defend your rates and keep your units full.

Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on as the weather warms:
-Preparing landscaping contracts
-Cleaning gutters and roof drains
-Asphalt repair and sealcoating
-Catch Basin Cleaning/Assessment
-Fence and Gate Repairs
-Full property evaluations

Need help with a spring assessment or budgeting? Reach out—we specialize in keeping storage assets at peak performance. 🤝

01/08/2026

Elevator Series | Week 3: Project Phase 2 — Forming the Foundation

With the excavation of the historic 1930s sub-floor complete, our focus this week has shifted to the structural "anchor" of the project: pouring the footings, slabs, and pit walls. An elevator pit isn't just a concrete box; it’s a high-performance vessel. Because it sits at the lowest point of the building, it must be perfectly level and entirely watertight. We’ve installed reinforced rebar cages and high-strength concrete to ensure the pit can handle the immense vertical loads of the new system while acting as a sealed environment.

Our key focus this week:
✔️Waterproofing: Applying specialized membranes and crystalline admixtures to prevent moisture ingress—a common challenge when working below the water table in a century-old structure.
✔️Geometric Precision: The tolerances for an elevator shaft are incredibly tight. These walls must be perfectly plumb and square to provide the exact footprint required for the vertical masonry that follows.

These walls and slabs are the silent heroes of the project. This foundation will eventually support thousands of pounds of steel, stone, and machinery, providing the essential groundwork that makes the upcoming vertical climb possible.

👀 Up Next: Next week marks a major milestone as we begin vertical masonry and start cutting through the upper floor slabs to create the shaft. The "hole in the floor" is about to become a "path to the roof."
Stay tuned as we continue to bring this historic structure into the modern era!

12/24/2025

As the year comes to a close, we’re grateful for the relationships that make our work possible. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and a bright new year!

12/22/2025

Elevator Series | Week 2: Project Phase 1 — Digging the Pit

This week, our focus shifts from planning to action as we begin digging and pouring the foundation for the elevator pit. This isn’t just a hole in the ground, it’s a critical structural component that directly supports the safety, performance, and longevity of the entire elevator system.

Excavating a modern elevator pit inside a historic 1930s building presents a unique set of challenges that demand careful engineering and deliberate ex*****on. Beneath the existing slab, we often encounter a maze of old and active utilities (plumbing, electrical conduits, and drainage systems) that must be precisely identified, protected, or rerouted before excavation can begin.

Structural limitations add another layer of complexity. Working around massive, load-bearing footings and century-old concrete means the new pit must be constructed without compromising the building’s existing foundation. Combined with tight access and confined work zones, every step of this phase requires patience, precision, and planning.

These images capture the early stages of that work: where setting the foundation correctly now ensures safe, reliable vertical movement for decades to come.

👀 Up Next: Next week marks the most dramatic physical change yet as we begin cutting through the floors in preparation for vertical shaft installation. Follow along as we continue documenting each critical phase of this exciting elevator installation!

12/15/2025

Elevator Series | The Critical Path: Laying the Foundation for Vertical Movement

We’re kicking off a new mini-series highlighting one of the most critical components of this project: the installation of a new elevator system. These early images capture the calm before construction - where planning, layout, and precision set the stage for integrating a modern elevator system into a historic building.

Originally built in the 1930s, this historic Michigan building once served as a commercial and civic hub. Today, it’s being reimagined as a modern, climate-controlled storage facility while honoring its legacy.

From both a General Contractor and owner perspective, elevator installation is a defining phase. Precision in the pit and shaft construction, thoughtful layout planning, and system reliability directly impact schedule, tenant flow, and long-term return on investment.

This elevator’s location was intentionally designed for efficiency, allowing future tenants to pull in, load up, and move vertically with ease, creating a smoother experience and a stronger long-term asset.

👀Up Next: Next week, the focus shifts to the structural foundation of the new elevator shaft as we dig and pour the pits, marking the transition from planning to permanent structural work. Follow along as we continue breaking down the critical path of this transformation!

11/27/2025

We are profoundly grateful for our incredible team, dedicated partners, and everyone contributing to our growth this year. Your confidence and dedication make all the difference. Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Wishing you and yours a joyful holiday!

11/19/2025

Planning your 2026 capital projects? Don't leave your budget to chance. From contractor input to material trends, our latest guide walks you through everything to budget smarter and stretch your CapEx dollars further. Read more: https://nuel.ink/Le7vv7

11/05/2025

Snow is coming....and our facility maintenance Leadership team is ready! Meet the crew that keeps your property running smoothly all year long. From routine maintenance and snow removal to landscaping, they make sure every detail is handled with care.
- This winter we are proudly managing 120+ snow contracts
- Over the past year, we have completed facility maintenance in 29 states

Trust Farmer Development to keep your property safe, efficient, and winter-ready.
📞 Call us today: (810) 844-1544

01/21/2025

As showcased in previous photos, we have a dedicated team that specializes in self-storage construction. Additionally, we have a team entirely focused on facility maintenance and CapEx to ensure your property looks and operates at its best.

Today in Michigan, that attention is on snow! We'll connect your facility with a dependable snow removal company. Give us a call, and we'll take care of the rest!

01/06/2025