David Jesse

Detroit Free Press

The University of Michigan will spend $85 million to renovate one of its most iconic buildings – the Michigan Union.

The Board of Regents approved the project at its meeting Thursday.

The project will:

Enclose the courtyard on the main level for a new space for students to gather

Provide Americans with Disabilities Act access throughout the building

Add space for counseling and student support services

Add meeting spaces near the main ballroom

Do deferred maintenance on electrical, mechanical, plumbing and other systems

Replace the roof and windows

Upgrade the restrooms.

The work will be paid for by the Student Life Student Fee for Facility Renewal and investment proceeds.

The architectural firm of Integrated Design Solutions, in association with Workshop architects as the design architect and Hartman-Cox as the historic preservation specialists, will design the project. The design will be brought back to the regents for approval.

"I hope they don't change it too much," said senior Ted Washington, 24, of Ann Arbor. "It's such a cool building. I think there needs to be some upgrades, but it should really keep the same feel."

The project is expected to provide an average of 75 on-site construction jobs. Design is to begin immediately.

The union has a long history at U-M.

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Construction began in 1916, but the university had a hard time collecting money promised to help fund the construction because of World War I.

It served as a barracks and mess hall by the Student Army Training Corps during the war and was finished in time to be open in 1919.

It had a bowling alley in the basement and a barbershop and student eatery on the ground floor. Like today, it included lounges, reading rooms, committee rooms, dining rooms, a billiard and games room, and an assembly room.

A swimming pool opened in 1925.

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"The Michigan Union initially operated as a club, with all members paying yearly dues of $2.50. By 1914 there were over 4,000 members, which was a considerable portion of the University student body and indicative of the strength of the organization," the history on the union's website says.

"In 1918 the Regents authorized that the membership fee, then $3.00, be collected from all students. In 1918 the fee was increased to $5.00, and all male students automatically became Union Members. The Michigan Union operated through a Board of Directors composed of students, faculty and alumni; this board allowed for expression of student concerns, and many students voluntarily devoted their time to Union activities."

The union is a common stopping place for politicians, including John F. Kennedy, who first advocated for what became the Peace Corps in a late-night speech on its front steps.

Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @reporterdavidj.