Construction begins today on a $2.9 million renovation of Wayne State University's Manoogian Hall. General contractor DeMaria Building Company will wrap up work in time for the start of the fall semester.

The work, which is only the first phase of planned upgrades to the building, will include improved energy efficiency, new electrical and lighting systems, tile and classroom furniture replacement, installation of wood accent paneling in the main lobby and ADA provisions.

Frances Ahern, assistant director, Design and Construction Services at WSU, asks students, faculty and staff for patience during construction. The first floor will be closed to public access, meaning Journalism is moving to the fourth and fifth floors of Manoogian and Anthropology is moving to the Faculty Administration Building.

Manoogian Hall was constructed in 1970. The renovations are being funded by a $1 million gift from the Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation; the remainder comes from deferred maintenance reserves and a technology enhancements line item in the university's budget for the 2007 fiscal year.

Source: DeMaria, WSU
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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