Gilbane Development Company selected as Developer of Western Michigan University’s Hilltop Village Project
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – (November 12, 2019) – Gilbane Development Company, the real estate development, financing, ownership, and management arm of Gilbane Inc., has been selected by Western Michigan University (“WMU”) with the intent in the next six months to enter into a public-private partnership to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain some or all of The Hilltop Village project on its main campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gilbane Building Company will serve as construction manager.
The Hilltop Village, an exciting and vibrant hub, will revitalize the gateway to WMU with improved amenities, facilities, and access providing an enhanced user experience for students, faculty, staff, and the greater Kalamazoo community. WMU plans to reimagine the entire southern portion of its main campus with student housing and student academic/support spaces, along with a dynamic mixed-use district including office, research, retail, entertainment, hotel/conference, housing, and parking uses. WMU’s overarching goals for this initiative are three-fold: First, to provide best-in-class campus amenities that will strengthen its recruitment and retention efforts, promoting student success. Second, to enhance the visual experience of the Stadium Drive corridor, providing an identity that is more fitting for a progressive, 21st century campus. And, finally, to energize its campus, bringing the academic community together with the wider Kalamazoo community as never before. Ultimately, The Hilltop Village will help drive WMU’s core missions, making it the institution of choice for a wider range of students.
“Gilbane looks forward to its partnership with Western Michigan University in delivering The Hilltop Village,” noted John D. Keegan, PE, Vice President of Gilbane Development Company. “This is a transformative initiative, one which will further strengthen the bond between WMU and the greater Kalamazoo community while advancing WMU’s objectives for student recruitment, advancement, and success. We are honored to have been selected by WMU and look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders in making its vision a reality.”
“With stakeholders across campus, we have engaged in more than a year of planning for this major redevelopment at WMU and there is still have a long way to go before The Hilltop Village vision is realized, but we are excited to be at this key juncture in the project and to partner with Gilbane,” said David Dakin, WMU director of planning, space management and capital projects.