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Construction has begun on projects included in a $24.3 million bond issue, and already Michigan Technological University’s investment is having a major economic impact on the community, President Glenn Mroz told the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees at its meeting on Friday, Dec. 18, 2015.
Contracts totaling $6.3 million have been signed with 16 contractors locally, throughout the western UP, and in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Projects include the renovation of Daniell Heights and the Memorial Union retail dining space, remodeling of East and West McNair bathrooms, construction of a new tank farm of smaller central heating plant fuel tanks to replace the one remaining large fuel tank. The bond issue included addressing University-wide safety issues, such as updating fire alarm systems and elevators and a web-based campus-wide system of heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls to replace old individual building control systems.
The largest contract for the first phase is for Daniell Heights renovation, totaling $4 million, awarded to C.M. Morris Group of Houghton. Other local contractors include Bay Electric, Keweenaw Power & Lite, Gartners Gallery, Kirkish Furniture, Office Express, UP Engineers & Architects, OHM Advisors, Keweenaw Automation and LJJ Construction.
The Board also reviewed and approved room and board rates and apartment rents for the 2016-17 academic year. Rates for Standard (double or quad) occupancy will increase by $248. At Hillside Place, a single bedroom in a shared apartment will be $9,558 and a single bedroom apartment will cost $10,228. Student rates for unrenovated apartments in Daniell Heights will range from $660 for a one-bedroom to $955 for a three-bedroom. After renovation, rents will range from $700 to $1,200.
For the full story, see http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2015/december/michigan-tech-begins-24-million-construction-projects.html
