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Safer spaces for students and researchers

Safer spaces for students and researchers


By Andi Anderson

A major initiative is underway to safely remove 22 deteriorating structures from a university’s agricultural campus, freeing 66,000 square feet of space for future use. The project, led by the administration and agricultural departments, aims to enhance safety, sustainability, and functionality for students, researchers, and agricultural operations.

“Deciding to remove any structure on campus is always a challenging choice,” said Dr. Thomas Glasmacher, interim executive vice president of administration. “In the case of the farm district, we must strike a balance between honoring history, ensuring efficiency, and maximizing reusability, all while recognizing that many of these buildings have far outlived their useful life. The costs associated with maintaining these structures are not justified, and we believe it is more prudent to refocus resources and utilize funds for other strategic projects for the south campus farms.”

The reclaimed land will be utilized in various ways:

  • Research Support: Converting land to grow crops like hay and corn for livestock operations.
  • Future Development: Preserving some areas for future use while meeting updated standards.
  • Sustainability: Capping utilities to allow sustainable development in the future.

The initiative emphasizes sustainability, with hazardous materials being carefully removed and salvaged materials like cement and bricks recycled for campus infrastructure. This approach reduces waste and aligns with the university’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Two barns on the site have been earmarked for salvage, with plans to reuse materials wherever possible. This project is estimated to save $5-7 million in deferred maintenance costs, enabling funds to be redirected to transformative projects, such as a new dairy research facility.

The upcoming Dairy Teaching and Research Centre, part of a broader modernization effort, demonstrates the university’s focus on agricultural innovation and sustainability. This complements recent upgrades to the Plant Sciences Greenhouses, showcasing the institution’s dedication to advancing agricultural education and research.

“Over time, many of MSU’s structures have aged, necessitating decisions regarding maintenance and capital renewal investments,” said Dan Bollman, Vice President for Strategic Infrastructure, Planning, and Facilities. “Selective demolition of structures that have outlived their useful life will become increasingly common as we explore further capital renewal initiatives. By removing these storage buildings, MSU IPF and CANR will avoid $5-7 million in deferred and future maintenance costs, allowing us to better allocate resources for transformative projects, like the new dairy facility.”

Building assessments are underway to determine energy efficiency and repair costs, ensuring that future infrastructure meets academic, and research needs sustainably. These efforts reflect the university’s long-term vision to balance reinvestment with innovation, fostering growth while respecting its agricultural heritage.

For more details, visit the university’s infrastructure planning website.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu

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Categories: Michigan, Education

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