Eastern Michigan University has identified Strong Hall
as its top building project priority in its capital outlay
request to the state of Michigan for the 2010-2011 fiscal
year.
Strong Hall is part of EMU's Science Complex, and houses
the geology and geography, and the physics and astronomy
departments. The facility was built in 1957 and has not
received any significant improvements or renovations since
its construction.
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STRONG STUDIES: Eastern Michigan University
sophomores Carol Anteau, of Carlton, and Alicia
Holmes, of Detroit, figure out their winter term
class options while seated on a bench in front
of
Strong Hall last week. The EMU
Board of Regents
has identified Strong Hall as its
top building project
priority in its capital outlay request
to the state of
Michigan for the 2010-2011 fiscal
year.
|
The estimated cost to renovate Strong Hall is $38 million.
The University's cost share would be $9.5 million, or 25
percent of the total project cost, and would be funded
from University reserves.
"This project, along with the $90-million, self-funded
addition and renovation of the Science Complex, which is
in progress, demonstrates the university's commitment to
the sciences," said EMU President Sue Martin.
The Strong Hall project would include renovation of the
entire existing structure of 87,500 square feet. It would
modernize classrooms and lab space, and introduce new technology
while creating flexible use spaces for research and instruction.
Fire suppression and other mechanical, electrical and structural
systems would be replaced and upgraded.
The modernized and reconfigured space would provide students
with much-needed gathering space for impromptu meetings
with faculty and classmates. The improvements also will
provide flexibility in classroom configuration to adapt
to the changing instructional environment. The Science
Complex project would connect to the west end of Strong
Hall.
The University also is requesting an increase of 3.6 percent
to its annual state appropriation for the 2010-2011 fiscal
year. EMU's budgeted state appropriation for this fiscal
year is $76.2 million.
The EMU Board of Regents approved the state capital outlay
and state appropriations requests at its meeting Oct. 20.
