WMU Celebrates Progress in Campus Transformation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan University celebrates two milestones in its Hilltop Village transformation projects with topping off Arcadia Flats and the groundbreaking of the new Student Union and Dinning Center Tuesday.

            Arcadia Flats sits on the old site of Elmwood Apartments which were constructed in 1954 and demolished in 2018. The new Student Union and Dinning Center will take the place of McCracken Hall after completion in 2021.

Arcadia Flats Topping Off Ceremony

The topping off ceremony for Arcadia Flats began with the opportunity for the university community to sign the last beam that would complete the frame of the new housing complex. University President Edward Montgomery said the new development along Stadium Drive will provide a new look for the campus on by the busy roadway.

“The idea is to invite people into this university because I believe and I think this campus believes that when you come in and experience Western, you’ll stay,” he said.

Diane Anderson, vice president for student affairs said the new housing complex will house 353 upper level undergraduate and graduate students in five different housing options.

New Student Center and Dinning Center Groundbreaking

Across campus, the ceremonies continued with the groundbreaking of the new Student Center and Dinning Center. Anderson’s remarks mentioned that the project began back in 2011 with creation of the Student Center Planning Team. In 2012, a consulting firm suggested creating a new student center based on the cost of renovating the Bernhard Center, the university’s current student center. The project was revisited in 2016.

University President Montgomery said that the years of work behind the project have focused on students.

“We are transforming this whole neighborhood, Hilltop Village, as part of creating a different support, a different look, a different type of campus, but again, with at the root of all those efforts is nothing other than student success,” he said.

The new Student Center and Dinning Center in projected to be completed in 2021 with seven micro restaurants and seating for 500 people on the third floor. Arcadia Flats is projected to be complete Fall 2020.