Construction throughout campus continues into next academic term

UW-Madison campus broke ground on its remodel in the summer of 2012 with the first phases of the Memorial Union Reinvestment project.

This past academic term, students and visitors suffered the closure of the Memorial Union Terrace from the first week of classes until graduation weekend. The conclusion of this part of the process is followed by the wrap-up of the entire project, projected to be in 2017—a year that will bring the beginning of more changes to campus.

“The Memorial Union Reinvestment project will bring the 86-year-old Memorial Union’s systems up to today’s code while maintaining the historic integrity of the Madison landmark,” Wisconsin Union Communications Director Shauna Breneman said. “The project will also improve accessibility in accordance with today’s ADA standards, ensuring all guests can enjoy Memorial Union.”

Work on Alumni Park began in spring 2016 in order to transform the parking lot between the Red Gym and Memorial Union into a natural lawn. The grand opening celebration of this renovation is set for sometime in 2017, according to a timeline on the Memorial Union Reinvestment website. At this time the other changes set to begin in fall 2016 to Memorial Union will be complete. These updates involve adding more dining options and study spaces to the first floor of the building, as well as improving the infrastructure of Der Rathskeller.

After final touches are made to this part of campus, UW-Madison directors will continue to work on the Campus Master Plan, which was developed in 2015. Recently renovated buildings that were parts of the plan include Elizabeth Waters Residence Hall, Gordon Dining and Event Center and Four Lakes Dining Hall. The next scheduled remodel is Witte Residence Hall, pending final approval from the State Building Commission in August.

According to Jeff Novak, director of University Housing, the project must “go to bid” in fall 2016, and, if all goes well, construction will begin in late spring after students have moved out.

The project is expected to take two years to complete, but will not interfere with students who reside in the hall. Most of the major work will be done in the summer, according to Novak, and they will only have one floor that will be “offline” or unoccupied and renovated while students are present during the 2018-’19 academic term.

“We are going to be adding a connecting link to the A and B towers that goes all the way up,” Novak said. “This allows for greater expansion of bathrooms, better elevator service and the addition of air conditioning.”

Novak said the plan also proposes that an 11th story be added to the building to make up for the loss of numerous bedrooms that will come with the connecting space. Security cameras will also be installed throughout the building. He said this project will cost the university $37,000 per bed, while constructing a new building would cost approximately $95,000.

“It is a 1964 building,” Novak said. “This is giving it a good refresh. We are hoping that this renovation will give us Witte for another 50 years.”

Slichter, Kronshage and Sellery residence halls are next in line for renovations following the Witte remodel. However, Zoe Bayliss Co-op and Susan B. Davis Residence Hall may meet less fortunate fates.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Bill Elvey said that these buildings are candidates for demolition, along with academic facilities such as the George L. Mosse Humanities building.

“There has to be a facility and financial plan behind projects before [demolition] happens,” Elvey said. “In most cases those don’t exist. We need to look at where those classes might go, and only have potential ideas for when the need arises.”

One building that has already been approved for demolition is the Seed Building, which will make room for the Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory.

Elvey said that in their six-year capital improvement plan, which updates funds every two years, no buildings are officially set to be demolished. Destruction of buildings may not occur until the 2019-’21 fiscal year plan, which includes a proposal to build a new research building for the College of Engineering, is implemented.

“We have a two-year and a long-term plan,” Elvey said. “It identifies where potential development can occur and how can it occur thoughtfully and gracefully. All of these projects will have some kind of transformational effect.”