After several buildings were recently built and others remodeled, Melcher Hall will be undergoing further updates. Upgrades to Melcher will not be as extensive as the changes made to Dobson Hall.

Matt Zielinski, assistant director for Residence Life, said that the upgrades for both Dobson and Melcher Halls were purchased together.

“When we first started planning [the Dobson renovation] back in 2010, it was a package deal with Melcher,” Zielinski said.

Due to Dobson Hall’s more central location, the majority of the money came from the package deal. Updates planned for Melcher include new plumbing and electrical, an updated lobby and new furniture.

“It probably will mirror a little bit of the Porter renovation,” said Zielinski.

Melcher Hall’s updates will be occurring in the summer of 2016. The same construction company, CD Smith, will be used. The company also was involved in the construction of Bridgeway Commons and Rountree Hall.

“With the current state of the State Budget and budget cuts, we’re trying to be fiscally responsible,” said Zielinski.

Major upgrades or remodeling done to halls across the UW System need to be approved by the state. Zielinski said the general mood was that there would not be many large-scale projects going on in the state in the near future. Instead Zielinski explained that minor updates and fixes would continue.

“We’re still going to do some kind of smaller projects in some of the halls,” Zielinski said.

These type of projects may include painting, new furniture and artwork to keep improving the halls for students.

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