BGSU, JLL Carry Forward $200M Master Plan
The long-term initiative comes alive with the opening of a high-tech facility. In line with the academic-focused phase of the project, BGSU will be renovating, constructing, demolishing and upgrading more than a dozen buildings across the campus.
By Evelina Croitoru
Bowling Green State University located in Bowling Green, Ohio, has announced the opening of the Kuhlin Center, the first facility to be completed as part of a $200 million master plan set in motion in conjunction with program manager, JLL. Upon completion, the overall project would add two new major residence buildings and two new dining centers, delivering next-generation teaching and learning spaces throughout the university’s revitalized campus.
A Long-Term Initiative
In line with the academic-focused phase of the long-term initiative, BGSU will be renovating, constructing, demolishing and upgrading more than a dozen buildings across the campus. Such an example is the Kuhlin Center, which accommodates the School of Media and Communication. The facility was renovated to foster innovation and include production and broadcast studios, as well as convergence labs.
The academic-focused improvements follow the student services phase of the plan, which were completed in 2011 when JLL helped BGSU deliver more than 1,300 new beds and complete two new standalone dining centers. The projects enabled BGSU to increase enrollment and also supported the university’s financial goals by eliminating more than $2 million in budget overages.
“The way students learn is evolving. It isn’t just about sitting in chairs and listening to a lecture. It’s about embracing new ideas, technology and collaboration. Our new and renovated studios, laboratories and classrooms are designed to shape learning experiences in hands-on ways. Partnering with JLL has helped us successfully transform our facilities and boost our campus’s appeal, without wavering from our core mission of educating students,” Steve Krakoff, vice president of Capital Planning and Campus Operations at BGSU, said in prepared remarks.
Ambitious Academic Projects
In line with the academic-focused long-term initiative and with JLL’s support, BGSU is upgrading buildings campus-wide with state-of-the-art technology and designs.
Moseley Hall will feature modern flexible biology and chemistry labs within the 100-year-old masonry structure. The facility is set to open this fall. University Hall will be refurbished in such a way as to preserve its architectural integrity, while providing a new focal point for admissions, student support services and learning. The building is also scheduled to be completed this fall. Hanna Hall will undergo an extensive renovation that will add cutting-edge innovation labs, active learning classrooms, collaboration spaces and high-tech trading lab.
“These improvements strengthen the campus community, support a culture of collaborative learning and demonstrate BGSU’s passion for enriching the overall student experience. Not only is BGSU giving students an even greater chance to develop critical professional skills, but the master plan puts BGSU ahead in the growing competition to attract the best prospective students and faculty,” Jon Kolp, vice president of project and development services group at JLL, said in prepared remarks.
Additionally, BGSU has completed significant infrastructure upgrades, including a new centralized chiller plant that allows for the safe and efficient operations of multiple buildings. A second regional chiller plant is underway, along with major electrical upgrades that will support the growing demands of the infrastructure bought by modern renovations.
Images courtesy of JLL
