Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University is converting the sites of former residence halls and apartments into new green spaces, aiming to improve campus life and sustainability. The transformation focuses on the areas where Jones and Goddard residence halls and Brown and Munson apartments once stood.

Christopher Longerbeam, senior project engineer at the EMU Physical Plant, said, “The demolition of legacy buildings presented an opportunity to reimagine these spaces. By introducing expansive green areas, enhanced lighting, and thoughtfully designed plazas, we are creating spaces that are safer, more welcoming, and capable of supporting future campus improvements.”

Plans for the Brown-Munson site include restoring a perimeter sidewalk, installing better lighting for security purposes, and establishing a large grass field. This approach allows flexibility for potential future projects.

At the Jones-Goddard location, demolition work preserved several mature trees while reconnecting key campus infrastructure. Planned features include a plaza with seating areas, salvaged decorative limestone referencing the site’s history, Wi-Fi access, and space for food trucks to serve both campus members and local residents.

Longerbeam stated: “We focused on creating spaces across campus that not only honor its past but also draw students and community members to enjoy and interact with it. Once complete, it will be one of the most inviting outdoor spaces on campus.”

The university expects early fall completion for both projects with further upgrades at Jones-Goddard scheduled later in the year. These efforts align with Eastern Michigan University’s broader strategy to expand accessible green areas while enhancing student well-being.

“As EMU continues to grow and evolve, these green spaces reflect the university’s commitment to sustainability, community, and creating a campus environment where students, faculty, and visitors can relax, connect, and thrive,” Longerbeam added.

Founded in 1849 as Michigan’s second-oldest public university, Eastern Michigan University serves nearly 13,000 students across more than 300 academic programs spanning various colleges. National publications have recognized EMU for its educational quality and diversity (https://www.emich.edu/about/rankings/index.php). Further information about EMU can be found on its website (https://www.emich.edu/), as well as news updates via EMU Today (https://today.emich.edu/).