Smart Future Building Plan Update

Madison Area Technical College has made some big strides with its Smart Future Building Plan. Here’s the latest update:

Building Approval Update
The College has received permission from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) State Board to proceed with the Truax Campus Gateway, Ingenuity Center (Advanced Manufacturing) and Protective Services buildings. This means we can now move ahead to get other approvals and put out “Requests for Proposals” for contractors. You might remember, WTCS approved plans for the Health Education Center earlier this year. Meanwhile, The Madison Planning Commission also approved plans for the Truax Campus Gateway, Ingenuity Center and Health Education Center. It’s still reviewing the Protective Services building plan.

Parking Update
The Madison Planning Commission has approved plans that will expand parking at Truax. By Fall 2011, about 530 parking spaces will be displaced due to our construction plan. Facilities managers plan to open approximately 400 spaces in the property to the North of the main Truax Campus building. A pedestrian bridge, along with a bridge to accommodate maintenance vehicles, will be constructed over the drainage way separating the two properties. This bridge will be completed before the start of the Fall 2011 semester. The existing north center wing entrance will be made handicap accessible at this time as well.

It's anticipated staff parking in the new parking lot will enter the Truax Campus building through the North entrance of the center wing after they cross the newly-constructed bride connecting the two properties. In addition, a new lot will be paved on the South Side of Anderson Street near the intersection with Hoffman Street. It will add approximately 170 parking stalls. Plans are evolving with more details coming this summer. Please check the College’s website for up-to-date information.

Regional Campuses
Expansions to the Regional Campuses are moving forward as well. Plans were submitted to the WTCS board in late May.

Construction Slated to Begin This Summer
Construction related to Truax Campus parking could start this summer, and construction of the Health Education Center is expected to begin in September.

Mike Stark
Director of Facility Services