Next Steps OK’d for Schembechler Hall

A major renovation to the entrance of Schembechler Hall at 1200 S. State moved forward, with University of Michigan regents authorizing staff to issue bids and award construction contracts on the $9 million project. That action occurred at the board’s Dec. 13, 2012 meeting. Regents had previously approved a schematic design at their July 2012 meeting, and had signed off on the overall project in January.

The building was constructed in 1990 for UM’s football program. It contains locker rooms, meeting rooms, medical treatment rooms, training areas, weight rooms, and administrative offices. The project will add about 7,000 square feet to the building, renovate an additional 7,000 square feet, and integrate the Margaret Dow Towsley Sports Museum area. The main entrance will be moved to the north of the building, off of a parking lot, and will include a statue of Bo Schembechler, UM’s legendary football coach. Funding will be provided from athletic department resources.

According to a staff memo, the project will be paid for by UM’s athletic department, with the work completed by the winter of 2014. About 25 construction jobs are expected to be supported by this project.

This report was filed from the Michigan Union’s Anderson room on UM’s central campus, where the regents held their December meeting.