I was very happy to see the Spartan helmet icons have been installed on the north facing side of the north endzone scoreboards. They may light up but I think there may not be any other illumination. I was reminiscing about the "olden days" when we only had the football team, the band, and the cheerleaders for entertainment and the games lasted about two hours, with the game being played most of that time without TV commercial breaks. If you were there to watch a football game it was very enjoyable. I do like most of the new traditions and the TV coverage the Spartans get and I know it is all about the money too, but it was fun without all that too. I have recently learned that my favorite beer Labatt Blue that they sell at the stadium as an import for $12, is now made in New York state! I hope they drop the price to the same as Bud Lite! :}
The work on the Harrison Ave bridge is nearly done I saw the deck and sidewalks were being finished this week.
Today is game day, only mild mayhem going on, one fight in broad day light. No flood lights downtown so far and fighter jets just flew over! I don't think the lights did much good. I wanted to say the new scoreboard is really great, so clear and bright. there is room for lots of ads but that's how they paid for it, I guess!
- Authorization to proceed on the $340m Engineering and Digital Innovation Center: This is a big project, bigger than the Student Wellness Center in size and budget, it'll be nice to see it get going and given MSU's track record once authorization is granted, I'd expect work to begin quickly. https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF2-Engineering and Digital Innovation Center.pdf
-They're switching things up on the Spartan Gateway Project, it seems the old idea is out and likely wont happen at that the Harrison Site. It's incredibly unclear what exactly is going on or if a new arena is still on the table. I don't know how this works as they had a previous authorization to proceed. https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF3-Spartan Gateway Development.pdf
...And a couple other items like planning a new ~$10m plaza in front of the library and a new $24m service garage near Service & Harrison.
Disappointing news about the Gateway District but I guess it's not surprising, the way the previous iteration of the project had come about and proceeded was very surprising. Although they're alluding to a more central location for most of the facilities, I have some tiny shred of hope that if they do build a new arena that they'd consider putting it in Lansing. WMU is building an arena in downtown Kalamazoo, why can't MSU do the same in Lansing? It'd make year round, constant use a lot more attainable if this 5000 seat arena were in downtown Lansing or even on Michigan Ave somewhere (or even on the big Red Cedar parking lot west of Brody). I don't think it's a crazy idea, or at least shouldn't be. Could truly be a win-win.
EDIT: Plenty of interesting stuff in their new 5-year capitol outlay plan as well https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF1-State of Michigan Capital Outlay and Capital Plan.pdf
A new $416m facility related to FRIB, a relocated transit center, an almost $200m Clinical Center renovation, a $30m+ Auditorium renovation, a $60m Kresge renovation, a $120m+ Life Sciences renovation, a $130m+ Plant Biology renovation, a $40m chemical waste facility.... So much less new construction in the coming years but a lot of major renovations, some of which will include additions.
I read a report from WILX that talked about the planning of the Gate Way project, looking at different locations with the sub-title Athletic and Recreation District, the artical included a map with a circle around the studium and athletic facilities to the south and west. I am not sure where all of these projects would fit in those areas. I was thinking there is a new arena in the Health and Wellness Receation Center now being finished. I guess we will have to wait and see what is being planned. It would be nice if MSU would come to the rescue downtown and do something in the Cooley Law School area.
The plan for Beal Garden interests me as I walk there often. The present layout is very traditional, and I like seeing plants from around the world. The new plans look good with a lot of water features and more native landscapes, but I would rather not see a lot of structures walls, etc. they have already extended the Michigan plantings up around the IM East building.
Comments
The work on the Harrison Ave bridge is nearly done I saw the deck and sidewalks were being finished this week.
- Authorization to proceed on the $340m Engineering and Digital Innovation Center: This is a big project, bigger than the Student Wellness Center in size and budget, it'll be nice to see it get going and given MSU's track record once authorization is granted, I'd expect work to begin quickly.
https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF2-Engineering and Digital Innovation Center.pdf
-They're switching things up on the Spartan Gateway Project, it seems the old idea is out and likely wont happen at that the Harrison Site. It's incredibly unclear what exactly is going on or if a new arena is still on the table. I don't know how this works as they had a previous authorization to proceed.
https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF3-Spartan Gateway Development.pdf
-Beal Botanic Gardens will be getting quite a makeover in the coming years, possibly including a visitors center. This is not funded, just an authorization to make the changes, funding will be handled on a project-by-project base.
https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF4-Material Change to the Landscape.pdf
...And a couple other items like planning a new ~$10m plaza in front of the library and a new $24m service garage near Service & Harrison.
Disappointing news about the Gateway District but I guess it's not surprising, the way the previous iteration of the project had come about and proceeded was very surprising. Although they're alluding to a more central location for most of the facilities, I have some tiny shred of hope that if they do build a new arena that they'd consider putting it in Lansing. WMU is building an arena in downtown Kalamazoo, why can't MSU do the same in Lansing? It'd make year round, constant use a lot more attainable if this 5000 seat arena were in downtown Lansing or even on Michigan Ave somewhere (or even on the big Red Cedar parking lot west of Brody). I don't think it's a crazy idea, or at least shouldn't be. Could truly be a win-win.
EDIT: Plenty of interesting stuff in their new 5-year capitol outlay plan as well https://trustees.msu.edu/meetings/documents/2025/BF1-State of Michigan Capital Outlay and Capital Plan.pdf
A new $416m facility related to FRIB, a relocated transit center, an almost $200m Clinical Center renovation, a $30m+ Auditorium renovation, a $60m Kresge renovation, a $120m+ Life Sciences renovation, a $130m+ Plant Biology renovation, a $40m chemical waste facility.... So much less new construction in the coming years but a lot of major renovations, some of which will include additions.
The plan for Beal Garden interests me as I walk there often. The present layout is very traditional, and I like seeing plants from around the world. The new plans look good with a lot of water features and more native landscapes, but I would rather not see a lot of structures walls, etc. they have already extended the Michigan plantings up around the IM East building.