A conceptual rendering of the Northern Enterprise Center is shown. (Photo courtesy of Northern Michigan University)
By Journal Staff
MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill to put $13.4 million towards the construction of a new academic building on Northern Michigan University’s campus.
The building — called the Northern Enterprise Center — will be entirely dedicated to the College of Business. It will provide office space as well as classrooms for dynamic learning and teaching.
“My faculty and I are thrilled with the news of capital outlay funding for a College of Business space,” said Dean and Department Head Carol Johnson. “This appropriation will benefit our students and enable the college to deliver a state-of-the-art business education and programming. It is transformational.”
Creation of the Northern Enterprise Center is just one step in NMU President Brock Tessman’s Campus Master Plan: centrally locate popular academic programs, reduce net square feet through the future demolition of Gries Hall, and to reduce NMU’s carbon footprint and operating costs.
The facility will also complete a link between buildings in NMU’s Academic Mall, enabling students to traverse the entire area indoors in the winter.
“The Northern Enterprise Center’s planned location in the heart of campus–as an addition to the C.B. Hedgcock Building–will bring students close to support operations with better access to advising, tutoring, first-generation student services and resources,” Tessman said. “It also provides greater access to faculty, whose offices are currently in Cohodas Hall, and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments. We are thankful to Gov. Whitmer and the Legislature, including Rep. Jenn Hill, for their support in allowing us to move forward with this important project.”
With this additional building, students will also have increased opportunities to participate in the College of Business’ internship and work scholars programs.
Pending Whitmer’s approval of NMU’s capital outlay request, the next phase will be programming and schematic design.
Then NMU will seek construction authorization from the Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
This phase typically takes a year or more and includes approval of the construction plans as well as conveyance of property to the state for construction. Once that is completed, construction is estimated to take a year, depending on the time of year in which the authorization is provided.
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