Ann Arbor Times

Construction and renovation projects are underway at Eastern Michigan University as students and staff return for the fall semester. This summer, the university has started several upgrades across campus to improve facilities, safety, and accessibility.

Two large areas of campus are being restored for new green spaces where former residence halls and apartments once stood. The goal is to enhance the visual appeal of the campus.

WEMU, the university’s public radio station, is moving from King Hall to the lower level of Halle Library. The relocation will provide updated equipment, furniture, and workspace. The project is expected to finish in December in time for WEMU’s 60th anniversary. According to the university, “Collaboration with the library will allow for future broadcast live events, interviews, and be more accessible to students and the public.”

Pierce Hall will become the new home for EMU’s College of Business. Renovations on the main floor will add computer labs, an executive training center, student gathering spaces, and administrative offices. Design work is scheduled through October 2025 with construction beginning in January 2026. The facility should be ready by fall semester 2027.

Roosevelt Hall is also undergoing a major renovation for the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology. The State of Michigan is providing $30 million out of a total $42.5 million budget for this project. Planning began last year with full design completion set for late 2026; construction starts in January 2027 with opening planned for fall 2028.

The university has continued its classroom safety initiative by installing interior door locks in Marshall classrooms this summer; similar upgrades have already been completed in several other academic buildings.

Ongoing maintenance includes stairway repairs at University Park amphitheater, concrete walkway replacements around campus, new exterior stairs at the Student Center north entrance, refinishing work at various locations including Dining Commons and Mark Jefferson east lobby, replacement of Lake House bridge decking, and reconditioning of the gazebo expected this fall.

Mechanical system repairs were carried out throughout both north and south tunnels on steam/condensate systems. This included replacing valves and steam traps as well as preventive maintenance.

To support energy conservation efforts on campus, building metering installations are ongoing in multiple facilities while LED lighting projects and building automation controls continue across academic buildings such as Boone Hall and Student Center.

ADA-compliant tables and chairs have been added to buildings within the College of Arts and Sciences; Sill Hall received new seating while Porter Hall now features fixed tables alongside free-standing chairs.

Mechanical equipment repairs or replacements occurred at several locations including Alexander Residence Hall, George Gervin GameAbove Center, Halle Library, Pierce Hall, Porter Building, Pray Harrold Building, Fletcher Building, Mark Jefferson Science Complex; cooling towers were repaired at multiple sites while Roosevelt received a new mechanical compressor.

Welch Hall’s dry fire suppression system is being replaced after a failure earlier this year; installation should finish by fall 2025.

Repaving was recently completed on Westview Drive while roofing repairs are scheduled through September 2025 at Alexander Residence Hall (roofing/facade), Pease Auditorium (façade), McKenny Hall (roofing/facade), Halle Library (façade).

The Key Shop has relocated from Campus Parking Structure to Main Physical Plant building.

Athletics saw improvements too: women’s soccer locker room renovations finished recently; donor-funded projects led to a new track surface along with fencing/pathways; HVAC was replaced in August at Indoor Practice Facility; Oestrike baseball stadium turf upgrades should wrap up by September (also donor funded).

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan’s second oldest public university. It serves nearly 13,000 students across more than 300 programs through its colleges including Arts & Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering & Technology; Health & Human Services; Graduate School (https://www.emich.edu/academics/). EMU receives regular recognition from national publications for its excellence in education (https://www.emich.edu/aboutemu/rankings.php) as well as diversity initiatives (https://www.emich.edu/aboutemu/pridepoints.php). For further details about EMU visit the university's website or stay informed via EMU Today.