Sweeping changes are in store for the University of Detroit Mercy's McNichols campus, including the demolition of more than 100,000 square feet of building space and renovations to nearly every one of its other structures.

The 143-year-old school will start the four-year renovation project in July, university President Antoine Garibaldi said. It is expected to cost $56 million to $60 million.

The university, which recently closed a record $115 million fundraising campaign, aims to fund the project through separately raised donations totaling $30 million and the rest through bonds and loans.

Garibaldi said the project has been in the works for the past two to three years and is centered on consolidating the campus.

"We really want to do this in such a way that we're bringing everybody a little closer together," he said. "We're really consolidating space, and there will be many more central areas."

The first phase of the project will involve an overhaul and expansion of the 55,000-square-foot Student Union. Around $8 million will be invested to renovate it and add 15,000 square feet. It will serve as the hub for student life, admissions and financial aid. It is expected to be done within two years.

Following the Student Union, the university will construct new graduate student apartments with the expectation of housing around 300 students.

The Fisher Administration Center, which houses the president's office and other administrative operations, will eventually be torn down, Garibaldi said. The aging 50,000-square-foot building's maintenance issues cost more than the price of demolition.

Additionally, Reno Hall will be bulldozed. It was built in 1954 as a residence hall and contains the university's counseling and psychology clinics and international study offices, all of which will be relocated. New graduate student apartments will be built in its place.

Garibaldi said the project is a statement that the university is committed to the northwest Detroit neighborhood and its revitalization.

"Another strong sign that this campus is not going away from this neighborhood," he said. "We're going to be here for another 143 years is what we hope.