Whether you’re a bewildered freshman, tenured professor or a seasoned Badger double-checking your DARS report, campus may look a little different as you stroll through Madison in the late days of summer.
A fixture of the freshmen experience since 1964, Witte Hall’s renovations are now complete. The upgraded dorm features a connecting tower, part of the design from four engineering students. The dens in the connecting towers are two stories high with a balcony similar to that of the Student Activity Center across the street.
Director of Residence Hall Facilities Mike Kinderman noted the special emphasis put on communal space.
“The renovations were very concentrated on expanding and improving common area spaces,” Kinderman said. “Before we started our master plan, we sat down with residents and talked to them about what they were looking for, and we found a lot of people who were focused on that community space piece.”
Marketed as “Pretty Witte,” the $53-million residence hall sits just a block away from another major campus project in the southeast community.
Slated for a grand opening on the weekend of Oct. 25-27, the Hamel Music Center features a 650-seat concert hall, a 330-seat recital hall and a large rehearsal room. The Mead Witter School of Music will call this space home for years to come.
Still under construction, the Nicholas Recreation Center’s $87-million price tag is partially funded by a 147% increase in student segregated fees. The rec facility will include eight full-size basketball courts and a substantial increase in square footage.
The Nick will open in early 2020 and will be home to UW’s swimming and diving teams.
Another renovation slated for the athletic department is a $77-million project to improve Camp Randall Stadium and the Field House. Premium seats and an upgraded press box are in the plans for the future.
While the renovations to Camp Randall and the Field House are largely out of sight for many Madison habitants, the Bascom Hill construction is more visible.
Currently, fences, dirt and detours cover the highly-trafficked area. The benefits of the construction are largely focused underground, replacing critical utilities serving the academic area.
Director of Utilities and Energy Management in UW-Madison Facilities Planning & Management Jeffrey A. Pollei stressed the degree significance of the construction.
“We’re going to unzip Bascom Hill, replace all the utilities and put it back together,” Pollei said.
Moving down the hill and across University Avenue, the Chemistry Building’s renovations continue, with an end date planned for 2022. The $133 million plan will include improvements to laboratories and offices.
For more information and a complete list of renovations on campus, visit https://cpd.fpm.wisc.edu/projects/
