A roundup of U-M construction sites across campus

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From exploring the uncharted frontier of robotics to giving liberal arts students a way to connect their studies to their goals, the University of Michigan’s current slate of construction and renovation projects will provide faculty, staff and students new spaces to become the leaders and best.

Take a look at some of the major projects taking off across campus below. The following updates are as of Aug. 6.

Biological Sciences Building

Approved budget: $261 million

Funding sources: LSA and Office of the Provost resources

Start date: September 2015

Substantially completed: March 2018

Project description: The new 312,000-square-foot teaching, research and museum facility for the biological sciences will house the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and the museums of Natural History and Paleontology. The building is currently 95 percent occupied, with faculty and students moving into new lab, office and classroom space. The Museum of Natural History will open in two phases: the first in spring 2019 and the second in fall 2019.

Photo of the new Biological Sciences Building
The new Biological Sciences Building. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center

Approved budget: $10 million

Funding sources: University investment proceeds and gifts

Start date: August 2017

Anticipated completion date: February 2019

Project description: The new 20,000-square-foot multicultural center was developed from the input of various community stakeholders, and will serve as a way to centralize an important resource for the campus community. In addition to the space for student organizations and student and staff offices, the new building will include a multipurpose room that can be used for conferences and events as well as active learning configurations.

Thus far: Underground utility work has been completed, the structure’s steel has been erected and crews will be working to complete the enclosure of the building this fall.

Photo of construction at the Trotter Multicultural Center
Construction of the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center is underway along South State Street. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

LSA First Floor Building renovation and addition
(LSA Opportunity Hub)

Approved budget: $35 million

Funding sources: LSA resources

Start date: November 2017

Anticipated completion date: December 2019

Project description: About 24,000 gross square feet of the first floor of LSA will be renovated, and a 21,000-gross-square-foot addition will be constructed to house the LSA Internship Program and the LSA Opportunity Hub, where students can connect their liberal arts studies to their life and career goals.

Thus far: Much of the utility work has been completed and the interior renovation is underway with framing and roughing in, in order to start finishings. Enclosing the addition is anticipated to be completed in early fall.

Photo of construction at the LSA Opportunity Hub
Construction of the LSA Opportunity Hub is underway on the west side of the LSA Building. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

Michigan Union renovation

Approved budget: $85.2 million

Funding sources: Student Life student fee for facility renewal and investment proceeds

Start date: May 2018

Anticipated completion date: Winter 2020

Project description: The renovations will include maintenance and accessibility upgrades and the creation of a social space on the main level, a new IdeaHub that will be a co-working space for student organizations, appropriate spaces for counseling and student support services, and enhanced meeting space.

Thus far: Crews are in the demolition and abatement phase, and utility work is underway underground. Window restoration is underway.

Pnhoto of exterior renovations at the Michigan Union
A major renovation of the Michigan Union includes exterior work in the back of the building. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

North Campus Recreation Building renovation

Approved budget: $17.4 million

Funding sources: Student Life student fee for facility renewal

Start date: June 2017

Completion date: August 2018

Project description: To enliven the student and member exercise experience and build community, the university renovated racquetball and squash courts, the sauna, staff offices and meeting rooms. The project also left the building with expanded weight training and cardio spaces, an improved group exercise room and accessible and gender-inclusive locker rooms.

Photo of the North Campus Recreation Building
An exterior view of the North Campus Recreation Building, where facilities have been renovated. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

North Campus Research Complex
Buildings 20 and 25 lab renovations

Approved budget: $78.5 million

Funding sources: Medical School resources

Start date: June 2018

Anticipated completion date: December 2019

Project description: 158,000 gross square feet of space within both buildings will be renovated to accommodate the Medical School’s wet laboratory research growth over the next decade. A 6,900-gross-square-foot infill addition will be constructed to improve the connectivity throughout the complex. The project also addresses several maintenance upgrades, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and life safety and ADA upgrades.

Thus far: Crews are in the early stages of demolition and construction activities.

Photo of construction at the North Campus Research Complex
Construction is underway at two North Campus Research Complex buildings. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

Ford Motor Company Robotics Building

Approved budget: $75 million

Funding sources: College of Engineering resources and gifts, including $15 million from Ford Motor Co.

Start date: March 2018

Anticipated completion date: January 2020

Project description: The new 139,000 gross-square-foot, four-story research and teaching facility for the College of Engineering’s robotics program will include state-of-the-art active learning classrooms, offices, collaboration areas, dry research lab space for a variety of robotics technology, a fly zone for unmanned aerial vehicles, an outdoor obstacle course, and garage space for autonomous vehicles. It will include space for U-M’s corporate partner, Ford Motor Co.

Thus far: Crews have finished site demolition and grading, with foundation work nearing completion. Underground infrastructure and utility work is ongoing.

Photo fo construction at the Ford Moto Co. Robotics Lab
The Ford Motor Company Robotics Building is being constructed on North Campus. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)

Glenn E. Schembechler Hall Football Performance Center

Approved budget: $14.8 million

Funding sources: Athletic Department resources and gifts

Start date: April 2018

Anticipated completion date: January 2019

Project description: This project will create a state-of-the-art space to support athletic medicine, rehabilitation, wellness and nutrition for the U-M football program. It includes a renovation of 24,000 gross square feet and construction of several small additions totaling 8,000 gross square feet, which will be used for training, recovery, nutrition, team meeting rooms, administrative space and staff locker areas.

Thus far: Demolition and steel erection are complete, roofing is nearing completion and interior underground utility work is ongoing.

Photo of construction at the Schembechler Hall Football Performance Center
Work is proceeding at the Glenn E. Schembechler Hall Football Performance Center on the athletic campus. (Photo by Scott C. Soderberg, Michigan Photography)
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Comments

  1. Charles Brooks
    on September 4, 2018 at 7:09 am

    New construction work appears to be initiating around the old Biological Sciences building. What is being done here and what is the timescale for completion?

  2. Kathleen Singer
    on September 4, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    It would be helpful to include the address of each building.

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