What Demolition Wrought

A newswire release today from Marquette University announces the groundbreaking for the new School of Engineering facility. Champion Environmental Services, Inc. was proud to have initiated this project providing building demolition services. Below is the press release from the university.


(Media-Newswire.com) - Marquette University will break ground for a new engineering facility, called the Discovery Learning Complex, Friday, March 5.

“With a history that spans more than a century, Marquette’s College of Engineering continues to educate engineers with the highest level of technical skill,” said Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., president of Marquette University. “Today we demand even more of our engineers. This new facility will foster the development of the skills we need in the 21st century – innovative thinking, creative problem solving of real world issues, and experience in team dynamics.”

The building will feature an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory, as well as other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students and office space. The five-story, 115,000 square foot building is being constructed on the south side of Wisconsin Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets. Demolition of several university-owned buildings on the site has been completed, with materials recycled. The new $35 million building is the first phase of a $100 million, 250,000 square foot facility.

The Discovery Learning Complex, being designed and built by Opus North Corporation, is expected to be ready for occupancy by August 2011.

“The time is now to innovate. This facility, a gift to the Milwaukee community, will focus on building an enhanced workforce for Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the United States -- graduates who know and understand engineering innovation and how to quickly embed the appropriate innovation in products the marketplace desires,” said OPUS Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski. “Our students and faculty will work with local industries and businesses in the development and design of innovative, real-world products, processes and services. In addition, this showcase facility will inspire elementary, middle and high school students to consider engineering careers as they participate in hands-on, exciting projects and innovative discoveries.”

Jaskolski said the university has raised $70 million in cash and long-term pledges and is aggressively fundraising for an additional $50 million in cash so the entire DLC can be completed as soon as possible.

The groundbreaking ceremony on March 5 will begin at 11 a.m. in parking lot N, in the 500 block of North 16th Street, just south of the construction site. Speakers will include Marquette President Robert A. Wild; OPUS Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski; Cara Brigman, a student in biomedical engineering; and Kathy Scherbarth, an alumna who serves on the college’s 41-member National Advisory Council, which is meeting that day.

Mary Pat Pfeil
Senior Director of University Communication

( 414 ) 288-4719 ( office )