DowntownWednesday, October 28
GVSU starts work on its $166 million Blue Dot Lab at the Eberhard Center downtown
The Good Day Grand Rapids team
Demolition and construction began inside the Eberhard Center, and leaders called Tuesday the symbolic start of construction. Crain's reports leaders expect to finish in summer 2029. The project pairs a $101.4 million renovation of the 10-story Eberhard Center at 301 West Fulton Street with a $64.6 million addition near the Blue Bridge, mlive reports.
GVSU President Philomena Mantella told WOOD the ecosystem is "much more than a building." Some faculty still question the cost and debt. GVSU's enrollment is 21,382 students this fall, slightly down from last year.
- Bond: GVSU's board approved up to $139 million
- State money: $30 million more allowed after a final state sign-off this summer
- Inside: immersive cube, prototyping studio, technology showcase
- Builder: Pioneer Construction; architect: Fishbeck
The finished Blue Dot Lab building would be about 224,000 square feet
Floor area of the finished building, beside places you know
4 football fields would fit inside the finished building
Source: mlive
View as table
| Floor area | |
|---|---|
| The finished building | 224,000 sq. ft. (Estimate for summer 2029) |
| The existing Eberhard Center | 160,203 sq. ft. |
| A football field | 57,600 sq. ft. (end zones included) |
Sources: mlive, Crain's Grand Rapids Business, WOODTV.com