AUDIO: WMU’s Dunbar Hall unrecognizable as renovations are underway

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Western Michigan University Board has approved major renovations at Dunbar Hall, which has been one of the most-used buildings on campus for the last half century.

Most students in the School of Arts and Sciences at Western have spent many hours there. But right now they would not recognize the place.

The 5-story, 78,000 square-foot structure has been completely gutted.  Just the outer shell remains.

President Edward Montgomery described the building as a “workhorse”.

He says they plan to reconfigure the interior, with new classrooms, up-to-date technology and improvements to the environmental efficiency of the structure.

Vice President Jan Van Der Kley says they had to call a special meeting of the board to meet a revised state deadline.

The project will cost over $42-million to renovate, with $30-million of that coming from the State, with the work to be completed sometime next year.

Reporting by: John McNeill