New housing building taking shape

Construction on the new $37 million housing and academic building on the Allendale Campus has been underway since May, and is running according to schedule. It's being built east of Mackinac Hall where Robinson Field was located.

The 145,000-square-foot housing building will accommodate 498 students in traditional-style bedroom units and include study space, laundry facilities, lounge space, a game room and outdoor recreational space. The building will also include three classrooms, a computer lab, media room and three faculty offices, as well as a multipurpose room. 

Einstein Bros. Bagels will be relocated from the Commons Building to the new building.

Karen Ingle, project manager, said construction activities currently include stair tower construction, footings and foundations, and underground plumbing and electrical work. 

Critical utility work was completed during the summer.

Ingle said the building, which will have five wings, is scheduled to open in August 2016.