MSOE tops off Kern Center, Project shaping into jewel of downtown, Park East neighborhood
| Published: 02/26/2004 |
|
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) will celebrate a major milestone of its Kern Center project, with a topping-off ceremony noon-1 p.m. Monday, March 1. It marks the end of major framing work for the 210,000-square-foot recreation, athletic, health and wellness center. It is first such facility in the university’s 100-year history.
At Monday’s event, Azco Integrated Construction, the structural steel erector, will place the final steel beam to complete the framework needed for the building’s west side roof. As tradition dictates, when the last important beam is rigged to the crane, the workers sign it. And after it is lifted into position, a small pine tree is anchored atop.
“This is an important milestone in the construction process,” said Dr. Hermann Viets, MSOE president. “The project is progressing well and we are excited about the environment we will be able to offer our students once the construction is completed.”
The official groundbreaking was held in April 2003, and the building will be completed this fall.
The $31 million downtown center is the first such facility built by MSOE and will be an important asset in providing access to fitness for the university’s 2,400 students, many of whom participate in NCAA division III athletics, intramural sports or individual fitness programs.
The project is privately funded, in part, by The Robert & Patricia Kern Family Foundation and Dr. Eckhart and Ischi Grohmann.
For more Kern Center information: Kern Center