The University of Wisconsin (UW) System will spend $389.9 million to make critical repairs, renovations and restorations to historical on-campus buildings. Construction is expected to begin in May 2028.
As part of the restoration efforts, the system has evaluated a selection of historic buildings for design and planning work. These facilities are typically structurally robust with low finished floor to ceiling heights. They tend to have many small, inflexible spaces for all occupants, operations, services and equipment, making it difficult to cater to the needs and requirements of students, faculty and staff.
The buildings selected for this project include:
- Graff Main Hall at UW-La Crosse.
- Dempsey Hall at UW-Oshkosh.
- North Hall at UW-River Falls.
- Old Main at UW-Stevens Point.
- Bowman Hall at UW-Stout.
- Old Main at UW-Superior.
The system’s efforts will include performing renovations on the building infrastructure systems. This will involve extensive work to update the structures’ mechanical, electrical power, lighting, telecommunications and plumbing systems.
Plans also incorporate updates to the building exterior envelopes, including maintenance, repairs or replacement for exterior doors and windows. The UW System will replace architectural finishes, enhance acoustical performance and modify room configuration and layout.
To ensure the buildings are safe and up to code with modern standards, the project will address the current building code requirements. The system’s vision includes improving accessibility features and replacing fixed and movable equipment and furnishings.
(Photo courtesy of Jonathunder.)
