Gilbane, Eastern Michigan University, and Partners Welcome Home EMU Residents and Celebrate Ribbon Cutting of Phase 2 of “Welcome Home EMU”
Ypsilanti, MI – August 28, 2024 – Gilbane, Eastern Michigan University (“EMU”), and partners are proud to announce the successful completion of Phase 2 of the multiphase ‘Welcome Home EMU’ initiative that has transformed on-campus student housing over the last 24 months.
The initiative ensures EMU students have access to quality and affordable housing. Yesterday, the EMU community celebrated a ribbon cutting for the newly constructed Lakeview and Westview Apartments, as well as renovated Phelps and Sellers residence halls. Returning residents were greeted enthusiastically as they moved back into Downing, Putnam, and Walton Halls. Excitement has filled the air, with positive feedback from students on their modern living spaces as they start the academic year.
Phases 1 and 2 of the Project improved 2,025 existing beds and added 700 new ones, including the 400-bed Lakeview Apartments and 300-bed Westview Apartments. These facilities feature state-of-the-art amenities, air conditioning, enhanced Wi-Fi, energy-efficient LED lighting, community spaces, and study areas, promoting student success and well-being.
“We are excited to celebrate the successful completion of phase 2 of the ‘Welcome Home EMU’ Public-Private Partnership at Eastern Michigan University,” stated Geoff Eisenacher, Vice President of Development at Gilbane Development Company. “These new and renovated residence halls enhance the entire campus housing landscape and offer a supportive environment where every residential student can thrive academically and socially. Our commitment to leveraging collective expertise ensures top-tier, student-focused housing solutions for EMU students.”
“I think this transforms our campus…. every student that I spoke to said ‘this exceeds our expectations’,” said Eastern Michigan University President, James Smith.
The final phase of the Welcome Home EMU project will include the demolition of several other buildings on campus that will open great green spaces and opportunities for EMU.
The project team includes Gilbane Development Company as developer with Gilbane Building Company, Michigan-based Clark Construction Company, and AVB, Inc. as design-builders. Progressive AE and Mackey Mitchell Architects are architects of record, with minority-owned Moody Nolan as associate design architect. Rieth Jones Advisors is serving as EMU’s project advisor.
About Gilbane
Gilbane, Inc., a private holding company with a more than 150-year history, is one of the oldest and largest family-owned construction, investment, and real estate development firms in the world. Gilbane Development Company is the project development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, providing a full slate of real estate development and asset management services. Gilbane Building Company is a full-service construction services firm providing preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and design-build services on some of the nation’s most complex projects.
Gilbane’s Public Private Partnership Group has delivered or has underway more than $4.4 billion in P3 projects for healthcare, higher education, K-12 schools, and federal/state/municipal clients. To learn more, visit https://www.gilbaneco.com.