Central Michigan University approves plan to modernize student housing

Dec. 7, 2018

$13 million plan is first phase of a $76 million upgrade of residence life on the Mount Pleasant campus.

The Central Michigan University Board of Trustees has approved spending $13 million to improve and modernize student housing and the residence life experience on campus.

The university says the funding will pay for the first of three phases in a $76 million residence life infrastructure improvement plan for the Mount Pleasant campus.

"This project will significantly improve existing residence life facilities, construct new facilities and plan for future improvements," says Barrie Wilkes, vice president for finance and administrative services. "Every part of this project is focused on supporting the success of our students."

Phase I will fund the following initiatives in 2019:

•Modernization of the North Residence Hall Complex.
•Several South Residence Hall Complex projects, including the addition of interior access controls and improvements to sidewalks and pavement, exterior lighting, and mechanical systems.
•Improved ventilation and exterior lighting enhancements in the East Residence Hall Complex.
•Demolition of Barnes Hall, which opened in 1951 and is the only remaining residence hall on campus with community bathrooms.

Additional phases of the project — anticipated for 2020 and 2021 — include:

•Modernization of the Merrill and Robinson residential restaurants.
•Construction of a North Campus Wellness Center.
•Creation of a Central Plaza green space between Sweeney and Thorpe halls.
•Construction of a new parking lot south of Broomfield Road.
•Planning for the demolition and replacement of Northwest Apartments and Kewadin Village.