MSU is planning on tearing down the parking garage between Bessey Hall and the Computer Center and using the land as green-space (I'm not sure when), as well as demolishing Spartan Village Apartments by 2017. There are also a few more notes about some traffic adjustments that the university would like to make on the east side of campus, and talks about a new multi-modal transit center for buses and trains.
For more detailed information regarding construction at MSU I suggest that you go directly to www.construction.msu.edu. It is constantly being updated.
1. A big project indicative of the future of transportation on-campus is the improvement of East Circle due to the Broad Museum. The administration wants a more park-like designs, remove cars from the middle of campus, encourage CATA use, and more multi-level parking structures preferably in the outskirts of campus.
2. The university is planning for the demolition of the former MSP HQ in EL.
3. Around 2007 Pres. Simon tried to push for a new music building close to the former Kresge Art Museum and the RCAH in order to assign that area as a type of arts district (also close to Wharton). As she said in an interview about the new BAM, Pres. Simon back then had contacted Eli Broad to renovate KAM but Eli kind of declined that idea and told her to give him some time (I guess he was waiting for income generated from interest rate in his accounts or something like that). Nevertheless, with the economic downturn the possibility of a new music building, which already had a preliminary designed from fancy music architects, dissipated. Now the university has decided to renovate the music building auditorium. I do consider this a short-term remedy and that the music building will eventually undergo comprehensive renovations or there will be a new building.
4. The bio engineering building is a great development for MSU. Medicine and engineering are prime areas for research grants. Still, given that MSU's medical schools haven't been research intensive, the engineering school hasn't been able to expand its research and increase grants. This is not a defect rather a historical specialization on primary care by the medical schools. Ironically, one of MSU's most important findings is the drug of cisplatin. Now the university has decided to increase research efforts in medicine (this is one of the arguments in favor of CHM move to Grand Rapids) in order to help expand research opportunities in the College of Engineering.
5. The FRIB continues to move forward. The university has modified its original design to reduce costs and make it more feasible for the federal government.
It looks like campus will continue to be a busy place construction-wise. Over the next 5 years they are planning 800k sq ft of new construction and 1.9m sq ft renovations. From 5-20 years out they project another 500k sq ft of new construction and another 500k sq ft of renovations.
The detailed chart of projects is on pages 10-11 of the pdf.
Much of this planned development is dependent on the upcoming capital campaign. I consider this plan a response to the expected on-campus density increase by reinforcing the park-like setting. Aside from this, the plan could also be beneficial for EL in general with most cars having to park in the border of campus. I have mixed feelings about the note on the master plan that indicates that the old MSP building will be used as perimeter parking.
According to the State News, the Joe D. Pentecost Foundation is funding a new entrance plaza for the sports facilities located at Old College Field.
The article goes on to mention that Joe Pentecost was an avid MSU fan who began the foundation in 2002, and passed away in 2006. The plaza will not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but will house a ticket office for the fields as well.
It would just be a huge punch to the gut if they pulled the project. It would be such an awesome thing for MSU. He made it sound like funding wouldn't be cut off tomorrow or anything, but simply cracking the door through which the funding could slip out open is heart-wrenching enough.
Comments
The State News article has a little more information: http://statenews.com/index.php/article/2011/11/officials_discuss_plans_for_msu_construction
I'll be looking forward to learning more about these.
1. A big project indicative of the future of transportation on-campus is the improvement of East Circle due to the Broad Museum. The administration wants a more park-like designs, remove cars from the middle of campus, encourage CATA use, and more multi-level parking structures preferably in the outskirts of campus.
2. The university is planning for the demolition of the former MSP HQ in EL.
3. Around 2007 Pres. Simon tried to push for a new music building close to the former Kresge Art Museum and the RCAH in order to assign that area as a type of arts district (also close to Wharton). As she said in an interview about the new BAM, Pres. Simon back then had contacted Eli Broad to renovate KAM but Eli kind of declined that idea and told her to give him some time (I guess he was waiting for income generated from interest rate in his accounts or something like that). Nevertheless, with the economic downturn the possibility of a new music building, which already had a preliminary designed from fancy music architects, dissipated. Now the university has decided to renovate the music building auditorium. I do consider this a short-term remedy and that the music building will eventually undergo comprehensive renovations or there will be a new building.
4. The bio engineering building is a great development for MSU. Medicine and engineering are prime areas for research grants. Still, given that MSU's medical schools haven't been research intensive, the engineering school hasn't been able to expand its research and increase grants. This is not a defect rather a historical specialization on primary care by the medical schools. Ironically, one of MSU's most important findings is the drug of cisplatin. Now the university has decided to increase research efforts in medicine (this is one of the arguments in favor of CHM move to Grand Rapids) in order to help expand research opportunities in the College of Engineering.
5. The FRIB continues to move forward. The university has modified its original design to reduce costs and make it more feasible for the federal government.
I haven't gotten a chance to read through it yet to see what goodies are in store
The detailed chart of projects is on pages 10-11 of the pdf.
More shots at the museums construction Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/broadmuseummsu/
The article goes on to mention that Joe Pentecost was an avid MSU fan who began the foundation in 2002, and passed away in 2006. The plaza will not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but will house a ticket office for the fields as well.