Regents approve demolition at UW–Eau Claire and UW–Milwaukee to create green space and quad

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents voted to authorize demolition of four obsolete buildings at UW–Eau Claire and the former chemistry building at UW–Milwaukee, and to redevelop the Milwaukee site into a new campus quadrangle and green space.

Alex Roe presented the request and described the demolition and redevelopment as part of a broader use of a multi-campus enumeration in the 2023–25 capital budget. Roe said the system received a multi-building enumeration of $45,400,000 that can be applied to remove obsolete facilities across UW institutions; since enactment, many universities have proposed projects that would use those funds.

Roe said the four Eau Claire buildings were constructed in 1951, are “obsolete, outdated and have been replaced” by newer campus buildings; the plan is to remove them and “reconstruct the landscape into a green space with pedestrian walkways and new site lighting.” At UW–Milwaukee, Roe said a new chemistry building opened in fall 2024 and the old building is being cleared so “a new quadrangle will be constructed to provide green space, which is limited on this urban campus.” Roe also told the regents that removing vacant buildings reduces ongoing operating costs tied to oversight and minimal utility service.

A motion to adopt the resolution (moved by "Joan" as recorded in the public transcript; seconder recorded as "Second") was called and approved by voice vote. The action authorizes use of the enumeration and the demolition and redevelopment work described in the board materials.

Roe told the board he expects additional projects at other campuses (Platteville, Parkside, Whitewater, Oshkosh and Madison) to seek use of the multi-building funds and recommended pace-of-spend planning so the enumeration serves multiple institutions over time.