Western Michigan University borrows $70 million to finish construction of student center

Trustees at the Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo have approved a $70 million bond to pay for the completion of a new student center.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that the center will be a three-story, 162,450-square-foot building featuring nine shops and restaurants, space for student organizations, gathering space as well as lounges and four hammock areas.

Western Michigan broke ground on the new student center in September 2019.

The bond provides the funding to pay for site completion, construction, furnishing and equipping the facilities. Bond proceeds also will pay for the design and construction of a new road on the south side of the student center.

A first phase of the new student center is projected to open in fall 2021. During phase two of the project, set for completion in fall 2022, a third-floor dining center with seven “micro-restaurants” will be added.

The university believes the new student center will be an important part of its efforts to turn around declines in enrollment and attract new students to Kalamazoo.