Campus projects OK’d by Building Commission

A number of University of Wisconsin–Madison projects were approved by the Wisconsin State Building Commission at its Dec. 21 meeting.

Among them was the first phase of the Memorial Union renovation, which is part of a larger Lakefront Gateway project that includes the renovation of the Union, the restoration of the Lake Mendota shoreline and the creation of Alumni Park. The shoreline restoration project was also approved at the December meeting. 

The $52 million Memorial Union Renovation, Phase I project will renovate the Union Theater, the Wisconsin Union Craftshop, the Hoofers Club space and administrative areas of the union. The project will be funded with a combination of funding — largely student fees, donated funds and program revenue and some state funding. The shoreline project will rebuild the failing shoreline structure.

The commission also approved the demolition of five former storefronts on University Avenue to make way for the Music Performance Facility. Demolition, which will cost $830,900 in gift funds, will begin in late summer of 2012. The space will be graded and seeded until construction begins on the School of Music building.  

A renovation project at Carson Gulley Commons was approved for construction. This $10 million project replaces outdated plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems to better accommodate programmatic and food service needs in the historic building.

A $2.9 million project at the Kohl Center remodels space in the south end of the athletic facility into a new club area for patrons, and relocates audio-visual functions from the main concourse to a space on the service level.

Building Commission approval is needed for the projects before construction can begin.

Also approved by the commission at the December meeting:

• Computer Science and WARF building roof replacements.
• Chamberlin Hall Laboratory renovation which renovates a lab on the fifth floor to better accommodate laser experiments.
• Arlington Farms swine manure management system replacement.
• Integrated Dairy Program, Phase III which addresses deficiencies at the Dairy Cattle Center and provides upgrades to meet the functionality of the Dairy Science instructional and research program.