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By Nathan Peck | MiBiz
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KALAMAZOO — Two months after the lame-duck session of the Michigan Legislature threw the funding of the $60 million Sangren Hall construction into question, Western Michigan University has decided to move forward with the project.

The funding had been thrown into upheaval when legislators excluded funding for the replacement of the aging classroom building from a $969 million appropriation for university and community college construction projects. Replacing Sangren Hall has long been on the university’s to-do list, and the project was near the top of the state’s list of higher education projects, as well.

WMU had received $11.7 million for the first phase of the project, covering the design, demolition and site preparation work. The Michigan Legislature balked at funding the remainder of the state’s $40 million, with WMU matching $23 million of the project’s cost. University VP of governmental affairs Greg Rosine and President John Dunn have been pressing the region’s legislators for support for the project, said WMU spokeswoman Cheryl Roland.

“No decisions have been made yet, and we are exploring, in very broad terms, ways to mitigate the problem triggered by last-minute changes to the capital outlay bill last fall. The university is continuing to talk with the current legislature about options moving forward,” Roland told MiBiz. “The project, which is intended to fill an area of enormous need on our campus, is continuing. Some contracts were already in place and construction was begun last year. Other contracts … will continue to be awarded as the project moves forward. We’re hopeful that there will be a positive outcome in the long run. In the meantime, we’re moving ahead with replacing the building that is our most heavily used classroom building.”

The university recently awarded contracts to 29 Michigan companies for the construction of the new classroom building. With the phased approach to funding the project, demolition of the north section of the original Sangren Hall, site preparation, and foundation and steel construction have been funded, said Conn Macomber, director of facilities management for projects and construction at WMU.

“The crane is onsite and the crew will be assembling Feb. 26, and we anticipate beginning vertical construction within 2-3 weeks,” Macomber said at press time. “The funding question doesn’t impact the timelines. We are still working with Miller-Davis Co. for a completion of August 2012.”

Nearly three quarters of the remaining contracts are going to companies in West Michigan, with the contracts being split between unionized and non-union shops explained Peter Strazdas, associate VP of facilities management.

“Our cash flow is moving with the early three pieces. We have bid everything out except furniture and technology, and that will go out the latter part of this year,” Strazdas told MiBiz. “We were happy to have strong bidder interest. We are on budget, slightly below budget on some items, which is good.”

The university is seeking the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED accreditation for the project, and expects to obtain gold status. The contractor base in the region, while feeling the effects of the economic downturn, remains strong, said Michele Wreggelsworth, project manager for Miller-Davis Co., the construction manager for the project.

“With the state of Michigan contributing to the project, we cannot limit who can bid. Our goal was to have as much local participation as possible. We’re really comfortable with the contractor base here,” Wreggelsworth said.