Renovation of Sill Hall, home of College of Technology, is Eastern Michigan University’s top capital outlay project in annual request to state

$40 million project would modernize classrooms and labs and replace all major building systems, and include expansion to support engineering program

Artist's rendering of Sill Hall exterior
An artist's rendering of Sill Hall after its proposed renovation.

YPSILANTI – Reflecting Eastern Michigan University’s deep and continued commitment to educating students in STEM disciplines, the renovation of Sill Hall is the University’s top priority in its annual capital outlay request to the State of Michigan.

The EMU Board of Regents approved the proposed capital outlay project request for fiscal year 2018 at its regular meeting Friday, Oct. 20. Michigan public universities must submit any such capital outlay project request by Nov. 1 of each year.

Sill Hall is home to Eastern’s College of Technology, and houses the School of Engineering Technology. Built in 1965, Sill Hall has not received any significant improvements or renovation since its construction.

The project reflects a major renovation of the 92,635 gross square foot structure, including modernizing classrooms and labs, lecture halls, student commons areas and faculty offices. The renovation would also create flexible use spaces for both research and instruction, along with replacing architectural, structure, mechanical and electrical systems.

The project also includes an expansion of 16,000 gross square feet at Sill Hall to support lab space for the engineering program.

The approved cost to renovate Sill Hall is $40 million. At a funding mix of 75 percent state, 25 percent Eastern, the University’s cost share would be $10 million.

This past year, the state of Michigan gave the University planning authorization for the $40 million renovation of Strong Hall. Construction began this summer for the building, which is a crucial academic facility on Eastern’s campus; more than 25 percent of the University’s STEM lab classrooms are in the building.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

October 20, 2017

Written by:
Geoff Larcom

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
734-487-4400