Memorial Union nationally recognized for engineering upgrades

Amanda Quintana by Amanda Quintana

The upgrades at Memorial Union on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus are being recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Milwaukee-based engineering firm Graef is being awarded for its 10-year improvement project on the historic 90-year-old building.

“There were somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 to 40 mechanical systems in this building. We centralized it down to seven or eight,” said Fred Groth, one of the principal engineers.

He said the antiquated systems were about 80 years old.

The mechanical, plumbing, fire protection and electrical systems were all upgraded to meet current building codes and technology was added throughout the building.

“As technology changes, you can make these updates to existing older buildings,” said Groth. “But you still maintain the feel of an older building, you keep the exterior the same, you keep the interior.”

The building now has lifts and elevators to accommodate disabled visitors.

About 17,000 people gave their feedback on improvements, including students.

“For us to be able to use all of these spaces, to have the entire building up and open and functioning, it really just allows us to maximize our programming to reach as many students as we possibly can,” said

Groth, who is also a UW Madison alum, said receiving this award is a once-in-a-lifetime dream and he is proud of the teamwork that made it all happen.

He said one of the most out-of-the-box upgrades wouldn’t have possible without a donation from John and Tashia Morrgridge. Their foundation helped fund a turntable in the loading dock.

It saved space and money, allowing cars to drive in and turn quickly to make 400 deliveries a week.

He said changes were made without ruining the historical aspects of the building. Murals painted by students in the 1970s were renovated, but kept in their location.

Ninety-five percent of the project’s waste was recycled. The wood from removed trees was used to create a bar inside the Rathskeller.

This $100 million project is eligible for additional national awards as well. Graef will receive the award at a gala in Washington, D.C., April 17.

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