The
Northern Michigan University board of trustees decided in their last meeting of 2010 to approve three major construction projects for the fiscal year of 2012.
The capital projects are a modernization of Jamrich Hall, a scaled-down cogeneration heat and power plant, and advances in the five-year facilities master plan.
The Jamrich project would cost $33.9 million, much of which would be covered by the state if the capital outlay bill that includes it is signed by Gov. Rick Snyder. NMU's share of the cost would be $8.5 million. Jamrich Hall, one of NMU's main classroom buildings, was built in 1969 and hasn't been updated since.
The modernization plan would redesign the classrooms with an eye toward flexibility and technology, re-assign some lab space, add academic office space, and increase energy efficiency.
"About 40 percent of all NMU classes are held in Jamrich, so there will be a lot of adjustments required on campus during the renovation period, which is expected to last about 18 months," says NMU President Les Wong.
Other projects in the same capital outlay request are renovation and an addition to the Learning Resources Center, upgrades to academic facilities, and renovation at Cohodas Hall.
The board also approved the beginning of the design and validation phase for an upcoming power plant at NMU. It would be an addition to the existing Ripley Heating Plant, and would use a solid fuel boiler that's capable of burning wood chips and by-products, using natural gas as a backup heating source.
It would provide 87 percent of heating needs on campus, and a steam turbine generator would provide about 16 percent of the university's electrical needs. The administration projects the energy improvements would save the school $8.8 million over the next 20 years.
Writer: Sam Eggleston Source: Les Wong, Northern Michigan University
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