Skip to main content

NMU lobby work brings residence halls together

Date Posted: July 3 2009

MARQUETTE – With renovations on Northern Michigan University’s four residence halls having been completed in recent years, the school’s task this summer is to bring everything together by modernizing the lobbies that connect the halls.

General contractor Gundlach Champion, United Plumbing, J & N Electrical and the building trades are in the process of doing just that. A pair of lobbies dating to 1966 and 1967 that connect Magers and Meyland halls, and Van Antwerp and Hunt halls, are being updated to provide “healthier, more attractive, welcoming comfortable environments,” according to NMU.

Work began on the $1.2 million project on May 5. The lobby renovations were originally expected to be complete Aug. 3, but that deadline is being stretched by a few weeks because the job went out to bid a little later than expected, said NMU Project Representative Brandon Sager. “We’re a little behind schedule, but it’s not bad,” he said. Sager said work is proceeding on both lobbies at the same time.

Each pair of the residence halls are connected by the lobby areas, which will provide space for students to conduct some housing-related business, as well as room to interact with each other. The lobbies will include a service desk, storage, mail distribution, reception/lounge space and public restrooms. A total of 18,430 square feet will be renovated, with better lighting, more natural light, and ventilation.

Last year, 65,000-square-foot Hunt Hall was gutted and renovated. Previously, major summertime renovations at NMU took place in Van Antwerp Hall (2007), Meyland Hall (2006) and Magers Hall (2005). The halls are similar in size and were each built in the 1960s.


Working at the Northern Michigan University residence hall lobby renovation is Greg Dupras of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 111. He’s employed by United Plumbing.


MASONRY WORK ON THE exterior of the NMU residence halls.
Photos by Jack Deo/Superior View Photography