Summer Construction

Construction projects have taken over campus this summer, with expansions to Pine Grove and the Arbury Fine Arts Center, and the construction of the new Living Center Southwest.

June 23, 2008 —

by Christina Dillbeck

Crews continue to work on the walls, floors and ceilings.

by Christina Dillbeck

The grounds around the townhomes are still under construction while work in and outside of the buildings continues.

Road closures and heavy equipment are becoming more frequent features of SVSU's campus, and more is on the way.

The University has plans to expand the Arbury Fine Arts Center, erect a new living center, and expects the complition of construction on the housing units near Pine Grove all before the beginning of the fall semester.

The SVSU Board of Control agreed to build additional student housing as part of a series of capital projects during its regular session on May 10. These projects fit under that decision.

Auxillary System reserves and a bond issue are paying for the North Campus Housing and Living Center Southwest. Rental income is also planned to pay the debt service and operating expenses. The work on Arbury is financed from existing capital reserves. SVSU does not expect future tuition rates to be influenced by these additions.

Living Center Southwest

Construction is expected to begin late this summer on a 210-bed living center. Dubbed "Living Center Southwest," this facility - which has been given a projected budget of $12 million - is approximately two thirds the size of the existing living centers and will open for the fall 2009 semester.

The new living center is planned for the area where Fox Drive intersects with Collings Drive (as seen in the graphic above). Because of this, beginning in fall students will no longer be able to use Fox Drive to access campus, though a portion of the road will remain open to allow access to University Village parking lots.

In light of this closure, the University plans to extend Tower Drive to meet with Collings Drive prior to the start of the fall term.

The budget for Living Center Southwest comes from Auxillary system revenues

The Arbury Fine Arts Center

SVSU is still working on design issues for a planned addition to the Arbury Fine Arts Center. The addition plans to add 10,000 to 12,000 square feet to the existing facility.

Slated to begin in late summer, the expansion will consist of four new classrooms in addition to new offices for faculty.

The project is currently estimated to cost the University $2 million, and is paid for by using existing capital resources and a hopeful completion date is set for the start of the fall 2009 semester.

North Campus Housing

Work is on schedule and the construction of nine "Village style" housing units and Community Building is on pace to fit within its $11.7 million budget.

The project, currently being constructed on the north side of campus, is scheduled for completion before the beginning of the fall 2008 semester.

Due to cost issues, these units are no longer provided for affinity housing for campus student groups, as originally planned. The project will provide an additional 212 beds. Funding for this project comes from Auxiliary system reserves and a bond issue.