1/20/03

Lake Michigan College Awards Campus Construction Contract

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - In a special meeting, the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees voted to award the Lake Michigan College Campus at South Haven construction contract to Houseman Construction Co. of Grand Rapids. They were the low bid at $5,549,000.

Thirteen construction companies from Michigan and north central Indiana participated in the competitive bid process. Because bids opened on December 23 were higher than anticipated, the College identified several minor alterations to the project and a bid addendum for proposed cost reductions was issued. The changes to the original plan were primarily of an esthetic nature and will not affect the programs or services to be offered.

"These revisions will result in no changes in the programs and services we will offer," stated LMC president Dr. Richard J. Pappas. "We are moving forward with our plan to provide wireless technology throughout the building for students and the square footage of the facility will remain as originally planned. We are very pleased that the final bids have come in at these levels and that we are moving forward with what will truly be a state-of-the-art campus."

Site work at the site in the I-196 Business Park just off of Phoenix Road in South Haven began in December. The construction process will begin immediately in anticipation of a fall 2003 opening.

he 42,000 square-foot facility will feature a two-story building comprised of 12 general classrooms, a two-way interactive classroom, science labs, two computer labs, and a childcare center. Western Michigan University will have additional space in the facility consisting of two classrooms, a computer lab, and an office/reception area for the delivery of bachelor degree courses.