U-M plans to upgrade East Quad, lab space, utility tunnels

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

The University of Michigan has OKed more upgrades for the school's campus, including millions of dollars in projects for the university's dorms, laboratories, hospital and utility tunnels.

The university plans to spend $2.1 million renovating the 11,300-square-foot auditorium in East Quad. The venue, built in 1970, is used for for musical and theatrical petformances, and for poetry readings.

The work will improve the facility's technology, lighting, stage, seats and architectural finishes. A vertical lift and second fire exit will also be added to make the auditorium compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and safety codes. Work is set to begin this fall.

About $6.6 million will be spent fixing the university's tunnel system. Those tunnels house things like electric lines and water pipes. About 600 feet of tunnels and 125 feet of pipes will be replaces, starting this fall.

Another $1.2 million will be spent modernizing the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Building. Approximately 8,300 gross square feet of existing student laboratory will be reconfigured into three new research laboratories for faculty and students. Work is also set to start this fall.

Not to be left out, the University of Michigan Hospital will receive $3.25 million in upgrades for its air-conditioning system. That project is slated to begin in the spring of 2010.

Source: University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke