Engler approves Dana renovations

Gov. John Engler has given the go-ahead to the first of two steps toward state funding of a face-lift for the Diag's oldest building.

The Samuel Trask Dana Building, home to the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, dates back to 1901 and has not undergone a full-scale renovation since its construction, said Wayne Say, SNRE manager for development and research.

Engler's signature of approval on the 1999 fiscal year capital outlay budget gives the green light to design and planning of the Dana Building project's second phase, scheduled to begin in several months.

Construction on the first phase involving the building's courtyard commenced last spring and the entire project could be completed as early as the spring of 2000.

Engler spokesperson John Truscott said several projects at universities across Michigan are included in the state budget every year.

"This is one that was deemed necessary" this year, Truscott said.

Truscott said the University decides which projects it would like considered for addition to the budget.

"It's what the University said the greatest need was," Truscott said. "We really don't tell them what buildings to recommend."

The project aims to "improve the capacity and functionality of what happens in here," Say said. Upon completion the facility will be about 11,000 sq. ft. more spacious, he said.

Because much of the project is still in a preliminary design stage, final dollar figures are unavailable.

Press Secretary for the Office of Management and Budget Kelly Chesney said current projections indicate a cost of about $15 million.

Once the design stage is complete, the second step will be to actually secure state funding for the project.

Issues such as bringing the building up to fire codes and improving accessibility to all areas will be primary concerns during the renovations.

Dubbed the "Greening of Dana," the entire project is designed with SNRE's environmental philosophy in mind, Say said.

"We feel it's important in this project to 'walk the talk,'" Say said, "to practice what we teach, to apply (our principles) in the renovation and expansion.

"Our goal is to have a building that operates at half the national average of energy consumption," he added.

SNRE associate Prof. Bob Grese said the renovations are necessary because the school has long outgrown its current space.

"We've always had a shortage of workspace for students," Grese said.

Grese is a member of the facilities and space committee that oversees the project. He said although SNRE students and faculty will appreciate the updated facility, the building may not appear any different from the exterior.

"The outside should look pretty much the same," Grese said. But "there will be some interesting public space inside."

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