UWP moves forward on plans for new engineering building
PLATTEVILLE - Anticipating growth in technology-based programs, University of Wisconsin-Platteville officials are moving forward with plans to construct a new engineering complex to complement Ottensman Hall.
A new academic building, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices, will measure 114,000 gross square feet (68,000 adjusted square feet), according to materials provided by UWP Facilities Management. It is anticipated the building, which will be located at the site of the current outdoor track, will feature nine classrooms, 30 faculty offices, a large conference room, and 22 laboratory rooms, including lab space for senior design projects and large scale design projects. "We're trying to have input in the building that keeps our hands-on approach - that's our strength," said Lisa Riedle, assistant dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science.
The proposed building will service mainly College of EMS programs, but may also include space for technology-based programs in the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. It is anticipated the building will house new UWP programs in micro-electro mechanical systems and bio-medical engineering, as well as some existing programs such as electrical engineering and engineering physics.
Ottensman Hall was designed for a considerably smaller number of students than those who currently study there, and officials anticipate increased future growth in the university's engineering programs and technology-based programs. The UWP Tri-State Initiative, which offers reduced tuition rates to prospective students from Iowa and Illinois, is designed to attract an additional 2,000 students to UWP in 10 years. Plans are underway to move the outdoor track adjacent to Longhorn Drive to make room for the new engineering complex. The track will be relocated to an area south of Williams Fieldhouse. While the new engineering complex is in the planning stages, College of EMS faculty hope to have it opened in 2007.
Contact: Doug Stephens, campus planner, UWP Facilities Management, 608-342-1147, stephens@uwplatt.edu
Prepared by: Dan Lehnherr, UWP Public Relations, 608-342-1194, lehnherd@uwplatt.edu
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