CG SCHMIDT TO BUILD UW'S NEW SOUTH CAMPUS UNION

MADISON, WI – CG Schmidt, Inc. was recently named the construction manager of the new South Campus Union at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. This project includes demolition of the existing south campus union and the building of its replacement. The $82 million project will be managed out of CG Schmidt’s Madison office and is set to begin in January 2009.

Some of CG Schmidt’s notable projects include the Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe, the UW Cancer Center in Johnson Creek, GE Healthcare’s New World Headquarters and the world famous, Santiago Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Exciting Upgrades
As it is now, Union South is underutilized and not considered student or visitor friendly. With a location adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium, the new South Campus Union aims to be inviting, to provide expanded services, and to serve as a new gateway to the campus.

The new facility, which is being designed with extensive student input, will include several exciting upgrades. New features will include outdoor terraces, a conference center, a bowling alley, retail space, a climbing and bouldering wall, space for student organizations, and an entertainment venue featuring a pub and space for live performances. Other features will include a coffee shop, underground parking, food service, rooms for campus visitors and an art gallery.

Dan Davis, PE, CG Schmidt’s Senior Vice President and South Campus Union’s project executive explained, “One of the main goals for this new facility is to revitalize the space. Thanks to student input and the architect, this new building should be an exciting place to be, since it is so multifaceted. CG Schmidt looks forward to working on this project, because these are the kinds of projects in which our management and integrated approach really add value.”

Keeping it Green
One of the more forward-thinking components CG Schmidt always considers is constructing buildings in an environmentally friendly way. In particular, building South Campus Union as a sustainable or “green” facility is a major goal of the project.
CG Schmidt will help the state of Wisconsin and the University to achieve a minimum LEED Silver certification. Some green goals include integrating energy efficient systems and daylighting into the facility. The new South Campus Union project will also focus on leading edge reuse and recycling concepts including deconstruction.

Deconstruction is a process of reusing materials from an old facility for second use, preferably in a new facility. This process also reduces the amount of refuse. As part of achieving the LEED certification, when there is refuse, it will be recycled whenever possible.

Equally important to managing the construction of a green facility is building with local Wisconsin materials from local Wisconsin businesses, thereby reducing transportation pollution and supporting Wisconsin business. CG Schmidt, as a Wisconsin-based company, will help guide construction with these values. Madison Environmental Group’s (MEG) president, Sonya Newenhouse, who is teaming up with CG Schmidt in this mission, explained MEG’s role, “We are here to help balance ecology and economy for the best long term solution.”

Smooth Delivery
CG Schmidt’s experience with such intricate and sophisticated building projects lends itself to a unique, collaborative approach in project delivery methods. Known as the integrated project delivery method or IPD, this approach drives the entire team toward shared goals and risk mitigation. CG Schmidt is an area leader in the integrated project delivery method and is excited to be working side-by-side with the State, the University and the design team to make this important Madison project a success.

Greg Oelerich, CG Schmidt’s Division Manager – Madison explained that, “using an integrated project delivery method gets the owner, the architect, and the construction manager collaborating early in the pre-construction phase. This approach not only improves communication, but also helps identify any building issues before they adversely impact the schedule or the budget.”

On Time and On Budget
In the case of South Campus Union, budget and schedule are of utmost importance. Vendors, students and staff anticipate moving in, in March 2011. This is just in time for the National Science Olympiad that the UW is hosting in May 2011. The University wants to use this event as an opportunity to unveil the new South Campus Union. More importantly, “we want to get people in and using this space. Unions are the hub of campus activity and we want South Campus Union to be as well received as the well-known Memorial Union,” said Angela Pakes Ahlman, PE, co-project manager of the South Campus Union Redevelopment Project.