State lawmakers have approved legislation that will partially fund the renovation of three U-M academic buildings — one on each campus. The legislation now is awaiting the governor’s signature.

The legislation authorizes construction on a statewide total of $613.1 million in university and community college construction projects. The state is providing $304.5 million, funded through the State Building Authority.

“We are very grateful for the state’s support of these important projects,” says Cynthia Wilbanks, vice president for government relations.

The U-M projects had been approved by the state for planning in 2010, and all have been approved by the Board of Regents. They include:

• Ann Arbor — Renovation of the G.G. Brown Memorial Building, built in 1958 for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The state will provide $30 million toward a project estimated at $47 million on North Campus.

• Dearborn — Renovation of the science and the computer information buildings. Both are original to the 1959 campus. The project will upgrade the buildings with new research and instructional technology. The state will provide $30 million toward a $51 million project that encompasses both buildings.

• Flint — Renovation of the Murchie Science Laboratory Building will create a science education facility to better prepare K-12 teachers and equip students for careers in science, technology and engineering. Total cost of the project is estimated at $22.17 million. The state will provide $16.628 million.

The last capital outlay funding the U-M received was in 2005 for the Ann Arbor and Flint campuses and 1999 for Dearborn.

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