Construction set for Sangren Hall this year

By David Alexander
Western Herald

Renovation of Sangren Hall is slated to begin this year—with a few adjustments.

The project, which has been on Western Michigan University’s docket for nearly 20 years, underwent a few changes since university officials first decided to draw up plans for a renovation of the aging hall.

The university will now demolish the existing Sangren, instead of renovating it, to make way for a new one, said David Dakin, campus services development director. A renovation is more costly than originally thought, and that razing the structure to build another proves more efficient in a variety of ways.

“With [Sangren’s] exterior structure, there’s only so much you can do … the new building will be more efficient space wise,” Dakin said.

Dakin added that because the new structure is also more energy efficient, it will “save an operating cost of $30,000 a year.”

WMU sought 75 percent of the funding for the two-phase construction from the state. Michigan budget officials provided the $11.7 million for the initial-stage costs, but have yet to commit to the disbursement of further funding. The project has seen a budget increase from $56 million to $60 million since its inception. Should the state opt against providing the remaining money, WMU will incur that cost.

Dakin said that despite the increase in cost, WMU saved money in some areas and a new structure increases convenience.

Originally, before WMU officials decided to build a new hall, a considerable chunk of money was to go toward relocating classes to other buildings during the renovation. Now, with the current plan, that money can be infused into the project because classes in the current Sangren Hall will continue.

The new four-story Sangren will stand in the current Sangren’s footprint.

Dakin said the construction will take place in two phases. During the first phase, the front of the building where the library and offices are located will be demolished while classes are still being held in the classrooms near the back of the building. When that is finished, the back half where those classrooms are will be cleared to make room for a parking lot.

Improvements on the building are to be numerous. Classroom technology will be upgraded — something Dakin said will be done even if the university does not receive the rest of the funding. Other improvements include making the entire building compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Construction on the new Sangren begins this summer, with classes to be held in 2012.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jan 11 2010. Filed under Breaking, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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