Projects

Part of the Vision 2020 plan calls for the renovation and improvement of our facilities to better train and educate workers to meet the needs of regional employers. This means more jobs, higher pay, tax growth and the attraction of new businesses to an area that is “workforce ready”. Recent studies have highlighted a skills gap in Wisconsin.

Coleman Center

Projected Budget: $26.5 million

Built in 1923 and last upgraded in 1971, Coleman is the oldest building on campus. It currently uses air handlers from the 1930s to cool the building and steam boilers from the 1960s to heat the building. The proposed updates would include:

An expanded student success center
Flexible general studies classroom spaces to address the 60% enrollment growth in general studies courses.
A defined front door with access that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Upgraded heating, cooling, electrical, and fire systems to make the building more efficient, safe, and secure.

Kumm Center

Projected budget: $10.1 million

Built in 1970, Kumm has seen significant deferred maintenance and updates since its construction. The proposal would allow for:

Addressing 40 years of deferred maintenance.
A focus on science and health classrooms and labs to meet growing healthcare workforce needs.
An addition of larger lecture classrooms and lab space.
A reconfiguring of space to allow for increased utilization without expansion of the building.
Upgrading the fire sprinkler system, lighting, power, and closed-captioned television to improve energy efficiency, safety, and security.
Increased natural light through the addition of cut-in windows.

Integrated Technology Center

Projected budget: $32.6 million

The largest of the projects is the renovation and expansion of the current Applied Technology Center to create a comprehensive state-of-the-art Integrated Technology Center. The new technology center would allow several industrial programs to share classroom and lab space. Currently, they are spread over six locations on campus. The proposed upgrade would:

Provide a complete building renovation, ground floor expansion, and the addition of a third and fourth floor.
Allow the industrial technologies programs to consolidate to a single location, creating an advanced manufacturing center.
Co-locate similar courses for more efficient use of space, eliminate redundant equipment, and improve student experience and training.
Allow the building to become a “living laboratory” for students.
Make the building LEED Platinum certified, the highest rating level for major remodeling projects.

Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician Center Expansion

Projected budget: $4.1 million

This program is currently split between two buildings, literally a mile apart, one of which is leased. Bringing all of the classes under one roof would allow for:

Classroom expansion, particularly because this is a growing industry in our area.
More space to ease overcrowding and improve safety and security.
Increased coursework focused on the latest sustainable practices in engine design and maintenance.
Money savings from the no-longer-leased annex building and improved energy efficiency.

Greenhouse

Projected budget: $1.6 million

Currently, Western is leasing space at the Hillview Greenhouse to accommodate some of its programs. Building a greenhouse on campus would:

Allow access for more programs, including landscape horticulture, culinary, and science.
Introduce students to both conventional and organic growing practices.
Replace the leased space.
Create a partnership with the Hillview Urban Agriculture Center.

Parking Ramp

Projected budget: $4.9 million

A large percentage of Western students are commuters who do not reside on campus and are also working or caring for a family. Because of Western’s downtown location, space is at a premium, which means building up rather than out is a more efficient use of existing space. Building a ramp would: