Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

EMU Selects Builders for 'Welcome Home 2025' Initiative

  • By Matt Jones
  • 11/03/22

Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., recently announced that it will partner with Gilbane Building Company, Gilbane Development, Clark Construction, and AVB Inc. for the three-year, $200-million campus renovation project, according to a news release. The “Welcome Home 2025” initiative consists of the new construction of two new residence halls, as well as renovations to all other campus dorms to improve amenities like HVAC, restrooms, and technology upgrades.

One of the new residence halls, Lakeview Apartments, will be located next to the University’s Student Center, the press release reports. The other, Westview Apartments, will be on the campus’ west side near the university athletic facilities.

“Students are very excited to see this investment in student life and our on-campus experience, and we are proud of the role EMU students played in getting this project off the ground,” said EMU student body president Auryon Azar. “Walking by the construction site is a reminder of what is possible when we advocate for ourselves and work with leaders in our community: we drive progress for everyone.”

Mackey Mitchell Architects and Progressive AE partnered with the university as the architects of record. During the planning and design process, they engaged extensively with university students, faculty, staff, stakeholders, and campus organizations over a four-month period to get input across the vast, diverse population and their needs.

“We at Gilbane Building Company, along with our development team partners, are excited to bring the Welcome Home 2025 vision to life at Eastern Michigan University,” said Lynn Rogien, Gilbane’s area manager. “This very important work will transform student housing for EMU students and will provide multiple opportunities for local trade contractors, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) partners. We look forward to delivering high quality, affordable facilities that will enhance the residential experience of EMU’s students and support the greater mission of Eastern MichiganUniversity as an institution of opportunity for all.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, OR

    Preserving Legacy, Designing for the Future

    As historic academic buildings age, institutions face a difficult decision: preserve and adapt or demolish and rebuild. How do we honor the legacy of these spaces while adapting them to meet the needs of modern learners?

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.