Construction updates, Student Services addition begins

Construction on an addition to the Student Services building will begin the week of September 11. The addition includes a reception area and two rooms that will be used to meet with prospective students and their families. The east and west entrances of the building will remain open during construction which will run through February.

Funding for additional streetlights on Pierce Street, west of 48th Avenue, was approved by Allendale Township officials. Consumers Energy will work to install the streetlights by mid-September.

Other campus project updates:

• Sidewalk on Pierce Street: a new sidewalk with lighting was installed from Laker Drive to 48th Avenue. The new sidewalk connects the off-campus housing to the Allendale Campus and was partially funded by Allendale Township. The work also included storm drainage improvements along Pierce Street.

• Ravines: the restoration project addressed historic erosion issues in the ravines which travels under the Little Mac Bridge. The work was part of a multi-year effort to address some of the stormwater generated by the center of campus. 

• Sidewalk on south campus: a sidewalk was replaced west of South Apartments E and extended to the new church located south of the Allendale Campus. The new sidewalk was also constructed to permit the extension of the Ottawa County Bikeway across campus. The project was partially funded by the Ottawa County Parks Commission.

• Cook Carillon Tower: bricks were replaced on the clock tower because of cracked and chipped bricks; the tower was also insulated and painted. This will improve the working environment for carillon players.

• Service Building addition: the addition allowed the Facilities Planning unit to relocate from Kleiner Commons to the Services Building. The space in Kleiner Commons can now be used for Student Life programming.

• Mackinac Hall: the second floor of Mackinac Hall C was renovated to provide refreshed offices for faculty and staff members working in those areas.

• Maple, Oak and Pine Living Centers: all three were renovated.  

• Lubbers Stadium: event space was renovated and expanded to improve access for stadium event guests. The improvements included the installation of an elevator to provide ADA compliant access to the upper level of the space.

• Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus: the exterior of Finkelstein Hall, at 500 Lafayette in downtown Grand Rapids, is complete with roof installation and interior work underway. The building is scheduled to open in May 2018.

• Pew Grand Rapids Campus parking: two parking lots were constructed south of the Pew Grand Rapids Campus to relieve some of the parking pressure on the downtown campus. One of the lots will provide access to limited discounted parking for students.