MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced that the Wisconsin State Building Commission met to approve a total of approximately $254 million in key building projects at state-owned facilities and properties statewide. The Commission approved funding to construct new student housing at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison, improvements at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, as well as numerous campus improvement projects at UW facilities across the state.
“Over the past eight years, I have been proud to lead this Commission as we have worked together to invest in the future of Wisconsin, including building cutting-edge educational spaces on our UW campuses, making upgrades and improvements at our world-class state parks, investing safety and in the future of corrections, and bolstering our local communities and supporting projects at libraries, museums, healthcare centers, and so much more, to make life better for all who live here,” said Gov. Evers. “The impacts of these projects are felt about everywhere you go in the state, which is why it is my hope that in the years ahead, leaders continue to make these critical investments that move our state, forever and always, Forward.”
Highlights of the Commission’s approved projects include:
- Authorization to construct a privately owned student housing development on state-owned land through a public-private partnership for two new residence halls at the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison, providing approximately 1,690 student beds and a 400-seat dining facility at an annual base rent (lease) cost of $29.7 million. The project will address critical campus housing shortages, reduce reliance on temporary student accommodations, and expand access to modern, high-quality housing for first-year and returning students, with occupancy anticipated for Fall 2029.
- Construction of utility and service tunnel improvements at Winnebago Mental Health Institute that will address outdated infrastructure and allow for a more secure and reliable service tunnel to the Wisconsin Resource Center.
- Remodeling the Madison Readiness Center for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) that will provide a more functional and modern facility to better support operational needs.
- The release of Building Trust Funds to complete design of a new DMA Readiness Center in Wisconsin Rapids that will replace the existing facility and support the operational, administrative, and training needs of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and Field Artillery units.
- Construction of the Residence Halls Elevator Tower Additions at UW-La Crosse that will enhance accessibility and make pertinent ADA improvements at multiple residence halls throughout campus.
- Construction of five laboratory and lecture hall renovations at UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Parkside, as part of the 2025-27 Instructional Space Projects Program, that will improve and modernize outdated facilities, relocate and create more efficient use of space, improving functionality, and overall infrastructure performance and support for these important programs.
- Authorization of three projects included in the 2025-27 Minor Facilities Renewal Program that address critical roof replacements and heating plant boiler renovations at the UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Whitewater campuses.
- Demolition of the Extension Building at UW-Madison, the final project in the 2023-25 Multi-Building Demolition Program, that will address hazardous material abatement, demolish the facility, and prepare the site for future building development.
- Approval of 29 maintenance and repair projects across 15 counties for the Wisconsin Departments of Administration, Corrections, Health Services, DMA, Natural Resources, Transportation, Veteran Affairs, and UW System, addressing critical building exterior repairs and utility replacements, improving facility reliability, and protecting public assets across Wisconsin.
The Commission is chaired by Gov. Evers and made up of the following members:
- State Senator Brad Pfaff;
- State Senator Mary Felzkowski;
- State Senator André Jacque;
- State Representative Jill Billings;
- State Representative Rob Swearingen;
- State Representative Robert Wittke; and
- Citizen Member Barb Worcester.
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