NMU kicks off University Center demolition

MARQUETTE — Northern Michigan University kicked off the demolition and renovation of the Don H. Bottum University Center on Tuesday morning.

The last major renovation of the University Center was in the 1970s.

This renovation project, which officially began in May, is estimated to cost a total of $19.5 million. The largest addition is a 1,200 to 1,300-seat ballroom, which will add space for faculty, students and the community to gather.

“It’s just another reflection of a university on the move. We are very engaged, we are very much part of the community. We think this is a contribution that we can make and I think it is just a reflection of all the different things that we are doing on campus,” said NMU President Fritz Erickson.

The project will be completed in three phases. Boldt Construction, out of Appleton, Wisconsin, has three more weeks of demolition work before the first phase of renovations will start.

The first phase is expected to be done next April, while the entire project will be complete before the 2019 fall semester. Parts of the University Center will remain open during construction.