MSU President's Newspaper Column
April 20, 2024
Concepts for Old Main renovation presented
Mayville State was extremely fortunate to be granted $52 million in state funding for the renovation of Old Main during the legislative session in 2023. We reached a milestone in the Old Main renovation project last week when Adam Peterson and Steve Skoblik with Foss Architecture + Interiors were on campus to present schematics for the project to audiences of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Adam is the lead designer for the project.
We are grateful for the support and generosity of the 68th Legislative Assembly whose work made this important project possible. Through the legislative process, our District 20 legislators, Representatives Jared Hagert and Mike Beltz and Senator Randy Lemm, played a key role in underscoring the significance of this project for Mayville State University. We appreciate their work and thank the entire legislative body for their efforts.
The images presented by the architect on April 10 are a concept at this point. They have been developed with input received in meetings and workshops with a variety of Mayville State stakeholders held last fall. A very important part of the design process has been to gather information from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members locally and beyond.
Lots of work will happen and many discussions will be held before a final plan is determined. Considerations will include feasibility, costs, and much more.
I think it’s fair to say that those who viewed the schematics were extremely excited by what they saw. The renovation will be transformational not only for Old Main, but for the entire university, community, and region.
The concept is to leave the exterior south side of Old Main intact. The only difference people will notice in viewing the building from the outside will be two additions, one on the west end and one on the east end of the building. They won’t be extremely noticeable as they will blend in and match the existing look. There will also be a slight extension at the top of the central tower of the building. This will be needed to accommodate a new elevator that will be located in the central corridor.
The proposed landscaping leading up to the building will provide a grand entrance to the historic building. Plans are to provide another grand entrance at the north side of the building. This will provide a unifying look and feel that ties the campus together.
A beautiful corridor ties the north and south sides of the building together from within. Arches will mirror the two-arch entrance at the south side of the building. The open concept provides an impressive feel for this thoroughfare, creating a welcoming, student-centered building.
There are plans for exposing existing brick and beams, giving a sense of history in a building that is providing optimal learning space for the 21st century. The concept shows the Old Main Theatre in the lower level of the building. A “one-stop shop” for student services will be located in one wing of the building. This is a place where students can take care of their admissions, enrollment, and other needs all in one centrally located area.
Preliminary work on the Old Main renovation project began in the summer of 2023, and project completion is slated for the summer of 2026. We expect that the building will be vacated starting when the spring semester ends in May and that physical demolition and construction work will begin in the fall.
We look forward to seeing how everything comes together and how the concept will meet reality as the project moves forward. You may keep updated with renovation project progress at www.mayvillestate.edu/oldmain.