Burton Tower renovations to restore structure, stonework

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

The University of Michigan's Burton Memorial Tower will be getting a facelift and some interior work to repair and restore the structure.

The $1.6 million project will restore damage and deterioration of the tower infrastructure and repair stonework. New metal flashings will also be installed at the openings of the bell chamber level. Interior work is to include repairs to the concrete and steel structure that supports the carillon on the 10th floor of the tower, and replacement and waterproofing of the bell chamber floor.

Renovating the Burton Memorial Tower will maintain both the beauty and functionality of the "significant historic campus landmark," as well as preserve the carillon, Sue Gott, university planner, says in an e-mail.

"The tower and carillon are beloved by generations of U-M students, alumni, faculty and staff, and are at the heart of the musical arts at the university," she writes.

The tower, built in 1936, is a 192-foot-tall structure that houses classrooms and offices for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and the Charles Baird Carillon, the 55 bells of which weigh 12 tons. Emergency repairs were needed on the tower in 2008, after which a study of the condition of the walls found more areas needing further repair.

The tower's Albert Kahn design adds to the importance of preserving the structure, Gott says.

"Burton Memorial Tower is not only a symbolic presence to the university, but to the community as well, and adds to the sense of place that is central campus," she says.

The restoration will be funded from the general fund and is expected to start this August and be complete by fall of 2011. It's only the second time in the tower's history that the bells will be silenced; the first was for a pair of peregrine falcons.

Source: Sue Gott, planner for the University of Michigan
Writer: Kristin Lukowski