Michigan University Approves $5.8M in Housing Renovations

The Board of Control at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) in University Center, Mich., recently approved $5.8 million in renovations to campus residence halls, according to local news. The Board approved the funds during its regular meeting on Dec. 16, citing the title of “best dorms” among all public U.S. universities that it’s won for the past four years from the website Niche.

The Board approved $3.8 million in renovations to Pine Grove apartments, which were built in 1986, and $2 million in renovations to Tranquil Hall, built in 1971. Construction on both projects is scheduled to begin in May 2023, local news reports.

In the same meeting, the Board also voted to approve $400,000 to improve flooring in Ryder Center. It also formally approved renovations to Brown Hall, on which some preliminary work has already begun. Construction on that project will begin in May 2024. The State of Michigan is contributing $21.8 million in state funds, and SVSU is contributing $7 million.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.

  • University of Pennsylvania Releases Design of Future Physical Sciences Building

    The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia, Penn., recently released renderings of an upcoming 350,000-square-foot Physical Sciences Building, according to news release. The facility was designed by CO Architects and will unite the university’s departments of Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental Science.

  • Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Barbara Vick Western Branch

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Barbara Vick Western Branch has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • 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.