Topping-out event, groundbreaking to celebrate two WMU building projects
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—On Tuesday, Sept. 10, a groundbreaking ceremony for Western Michigan University's new student center and dining facility as well as a topping-out celebration for its Arcadia Flats student housing complex will together mark major milestones in the University's Hilltop Village development project.
All students, staff, faculty and members of the community are invited to attend the two-part celebration, which will begin at 3:30 p.m. WMU President Edward Montgomery, Vice President for Student Affairs Diane Anderson, U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Director Cheri Holman and student leaders will offer remarks.
Arcadia Flats
The festivities start with the topping-out ceremony at the Arcadia Flats south construction gate on Ring Road South. Attendees are encouraged to sign the building’s final steel construction beam between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Remarks will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the beam being lifted into place, marking a significant milestone in construction progress.
Arcadia Flats is a six-story, 197-unit residential facility that will house 341 students. Scheduled to open fall 2020, the apartment-style housing will offer multiple living options for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students. The innovative living concept will incorporate sustainable design aimed to meet LEED Silver certification standards.
Student center and dining facility
Following the topping-out event, a groundbreaking celebration will commence at 4:30 p.m. for the student center and dining facility construction projects. The gathering will kick-off at the north construction site gate near the Sangren Pedestrian Mall and feature refreshments and remarks.
Phase one of the student center is projected to open fall 2021 as part of Hilltop Village development efforts. The student center is an innovative three-story, 162,450-square-foot building intended to create a welcoming environment for students and the WMU community.
Designed to encourage inclusivity and social engagement, the facility includes a diverse array of customer-oriented spaces featuring nine shops and restaurants, space for student organizations, affinity space as well as lounges and four hammock areas.
During phase two of the project in fall 2022, a third-floor dining center with seven "micro-restaurants" is expected to come online. Student-oriented dining and hospitality options will provide distinctive cuisine for the University community and other patrons. Like Arcadia Flats, this project also is designed to meet LEED Silver certification standards.
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