Bricks are deteriorating outside the west entrance of Morris Lawrence. Nicholas Ketchum | Washtenaw Voice
By Nicholas Ketchum
Deputy Editor
The WCC Board of Trustees recently approved a $380,000 plan for renovations at the Morris Lawrence Building. The multiuse building hosts large campus-related events and exhibitions.
According to board meeting documents, the building, built in 1990, has seen three small extensions in addition to minor maintenance. This would be the first major upgrade since its completion 27 years ago.
Upgrades include replacements as well as new amenities.
Among items up for replacement is the large lobby skylight, movable wall partitions, HVAC components and facade materials.
Some new additions will include electronic event directories and kiosks, exterior brick replacements and a landscaped garden at the west entrance.
Christina Fleming, board chairperson, said the building is one of the most visible campus properties seen by visitors.
“The Morris Lawrence Building sees over 150,000 visitors a year. That’s a lot. That really characterizes how utilized it is,” Fleming said. “It’s our main conference center.”
She said the improvements will bring immediate visual improvements to the building.
For example, the lobby skylight is discolored from water leakage, dimming the lobby. Replacing it would improve lighting while maximizing energy efficiency and prevent leaks.
“We can’t have leaks; we can’t have air escaping—that’s not energy efficient,” she said. “The replacement will be brighter and bring in more natural light, helping us reduce energy costs compared to burning candles all the time.”
On the building’s west facade, new bricks will replace crumbling ones. Currently, protective netting cover these hazards in some spots.
“It doesn’t look too good when you have people coming in and seeing crumbling stuff,” Fleming said.
Construction is scheduled to start January 2021 and is expected to last six months, in time for the busy summer event season, when large groups such as labor unions use the building for training and continuing education.
Fleming said the total closure of Morris Lawrence will expedite construction.
The board awarded a construction contract to Hobbs & Black, an Ann Arbor-based architectural firm. The company was the lowest bidder and has experience working on the Morris Lawrence building, according to meeting documents.
Fleming said other buildings will see renovations, eventually. There are currently plans to make a $23 million upgrade in the Student Center, with $8.5 million potentially coming from the state if the college’s capital outlay funding request is approved.
The state will make its funding decision later next year.
A new building for the Advanced Transportation Center is also currently in the design phase following the board’s approval of a contract last April. The two-story building will sit east of the bus loop in front of the Student Center and Occupational Education and will include classroom and exhibition space, among other amenities.
The Voice also reported last spring the college will be conducting campuswide classroom renovations over a five-year span.
