Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

WMU Prepares Three Dorms for Demolition

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/27/21

Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, Mich., is readying its campus for a major construction initiative. According to a recent news release, contractors are preparing three small dorms for demolition while taking care to preserve and protect some natural historic features on the grounds.

The university’s South Neighborhood Sub-campus Master Plan will rework the southern part of campus to build new student housing, a dining facility and student center, retail establishments, and other venues in a development known as the Hilltop Village. The first step of the construction is to remove three older campus residence halls—Davis, Zimmerman, and French Halls. Construction fences have already gone up around the facilities. Davis and Davis Dining are scheduled for demolition in the first week of May, followed by Zimmerman and later French, to be complete by the end of September.

Davis Hall originally opened in 1954. Davis Dining and Zimmerman opened in 1955, and French opened in 1960.

During the planning process, a campus committee identified a burr oak tree at the site that’s at least 200 years old, predating both the university’s founding and Michigan’s statehood. This historic heritage tree will be preserved during the demolition and construction process alongside a pin oak from the 1950s. Several other, smaller trees have already been moved to other locations on campus, according to project manager Shannon Sauer-Becker.

“We have been very selective with what we are taking out and will be protecting what will remain,” Sauer-Becker said. “There won’t be any heavy equipment in the courtyard. We highlighted what might be particularly valuable to maintain, and construction will take these natural features into account.”

Dr. Todd Barkman is a professor of biological sciences and was a member of the campus tree advisor committee that identified the historic natural features worth saving. He said he looks forward to the burr oak gaining prominence as the new development project rises around it.

“Early input on the project was sought and given, and a great outcome is resulting,” said Barkman. “This has been a great example of the University administration embracing the intent of our Tree Campus Higher Education status and how the teaching interests of our campus can be balanced with those of our landscaping professionals and campus planners.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Vanderbilt to Partner with ABM for Campus Preservation and Modernization

    Vanderbilt University recently announced that it has selected ABM Performance Solutions for a preservation and modernization project at its New York City campus, according to a news release. ABM will deliver its end-to-end ABM Performance Solutions (APS) model to manage critical operations during renovation and maintenance.

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.