Next up in Michigan Stadium's makeover: $6 million paint job
Michigan Stadium could get a $6 million paint job.
The University of Michigan Board of Regents is expected to approve a $6 million paint job for the 85-year-old stadium, which has undergone three major renovations since it was built in 1927.
Michigan Stadium file photo.
The project will be before regents at their meeting on Thursday in Ann Arbor.
Contractors will remove existing paint from the stadium bowl —some of which is lead-based— and repaint the bowl with corrosion-resistant paint. Corroded steel will be replaced or repaired and repainted.
The athletic department will pay for the paint job, which is expected to provide about 15 on-site construction jobs and isn't expected to affect area parking.
Athletic director Dave Brandon said at a regents meeting in June that the project would begin in February. Regents seemed supportive of the improvement during that meeting.
The work is set to be completed in summer 2014, according to an internal memo from Brandon and U-M CFO Timothy Slottow.
David Brandon file photo
The project is one of several upgrades to the Big House in recent years. In 2010 the stadium reopened after a $226 million makeover, which increased capacity and added 81 luxury boxes to the stadium. In 2011 the stadium got two new video scoreboards, which were part of $20 million scoreboard and sound system project for the football, basketball and hockey venues.
The Big House isn't the only football facility to receive major, multimillion-dollar upgrades. In January regents approved a $9 million expansion and renovation to Schembechler Hall, a football facility that includes a museum and locker, meeting and medical treatment rooms, as well as training and weightlifting areas. Construction on Al Glick Field House, a $26.1 million indoor football practice facility, completed in 2009.
Meanwhile Michigan's basketball facility is getting its own roughly $72 million upgrade and recently opened a $23.2 million player development center. Crews just completed a $16 million renovation to the Yost Ice Arena.
The tab for new and renovated basketball, hockey and football facilities has exceeded $500 million in recent years. Brandon said in the spring that the athletic department would begin shifting its focus to facilities for non-revenue sports.
He said the department will spend $250 million on non-revenue sports in the next decade, including new or upgraded facilities for lacrosse, water polo, softball, swimming and track.
Michigan Stadium file photo
Correction: The cost of basketball facility renovations in this article have been corrected. Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Xgojim
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
Like this or not, our wonderful athletic facilities become the "face" of the University during the fall and winter months. Comments by TV and radio commentators during that period influence the entire community and world, especially if negative comments end up on Facebook or YouTube (or annarbor.com!). Two or three renovations during 80 years aren't a lot to expect. A paint job to brighten the place and eliminate/reduce a toxic substance like lead seems like a good move. Go Blue!
Pablo
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
Another of those chicken-and-egg questions: which came first, the exorbitant football fees or the excessive spending on scoreboards, viewing boxes, ad nauseum?
ruminator
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
What color will the Halo be this time?
Halter
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:19 a.m.
Ha! Typical " waste of money" posts... Actually, no it's not. You have to maintain what you have before things rust away and you pay three times as much to replace. And it's what things cost these days.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 7:50 a.m.
Michigan is just playing its part in a national phenomenon: Michigan Stadium is the largest football stadium in North America. Some locals seem to have not yet realized what this means. I suppose having invested a quarter billion dollars on upgrading such an immense structure might not seem reason for re-painting it, but then the Golden Gate Bridge has proportionately the same maintenance cost (as does the Mackinac Bridge). Ya got a nationally known monumental structure here - what'er they to do, let it rust and crumble? Go ahead, dab a little paint on it - you won't hear me complain about it. :-)
jns131
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 1:24 a.m.
This is not going to block traffic, reduce traffic to one lane or close any streets will it? Because I am tired of detours. BTW I heard that bridge is opening this week. I am holding my breath.
jns131
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
Uh huh. Yeah right. Sorry but I don't believe that one for a minute.
StopCrying
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
The article said it should not be an issue with road closures.
bereasonable
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
$6m divided by "15 construction jobs" equals $400k per job divided by 1.5 years (summer of '14) is $266k annual salary for a painter? One might assume the work involves more than a paint job. ( or else I might change careers)
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
Ah, the Labor Theory of Value still shows it's head occasionally.
M-Wolverine
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Why can't someone just admit when they were wrong....?
bereasonable
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.
Wow, is everyone so caught up with being RIGHT that you can't have a sense of humor?
Halter
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
Seriously...do you have any idea how the business world works??
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:43 a.m.
Paint, steel, lead paint disposal, and the company that they are working with gets to make a profit. Unless of course you expect the U to hire them as temps.
a2citizen
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 12:45 a.m.
Did you bother to price in the paint?
ThinkingOne
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
Let's see - Removing lead-based paint (and a lot of it): disposing of hazardous waste is not free Replacing corroded steel: steel is not free Repainting with corrosion-resistant paint (and a lot of it): paint is not free So I guess there are other expenses besides labor to 15 people.
Ron Granger
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 10:39 p.m.
I am quoting the text of Alex's reply here, since it is interesting Stadium news that may interest others: "They are going to be adding in railings to all sections eventually. They did the northeast endzone this Summer, and they will be doing most of the south endzone next Summer. Although, they are adding the railings because since they renovated the building, it is now considered "new" and is not "up to code" so they are required to add in the railings. While it can be nice, I don't think it's necessary; that's ~96 rows for 44 sections that are all losing at least one seat because they have to cut off a section of the bench because the aisle isn't wide enough. That's over 4,000 seats lost just to add in some handrails, which aren't really even that necessary."
Kenneth Cutter
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
It is long overdue. As an event staff employee I am able to see a lot of the stadium up close. It really needs repainting as it is peeling in a lot of places. Plus may I recommend they have added some railing in certain sections, but it would be nice if they were in every section.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
Alex....That is, they aren't that necessary unless you are one of the people who get bumped or trip and take a header on the concrete steps. It's nice to have accessability even for those who aren't 20 and well-balanced.
Alex
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 9:47 p.m.
They are going to be adding in railings to all sections eventually. They did the northeast endzone this Summer, and they will be doing most of the south endzone next Summer. Although, they are adding the railings because since they renovated the building, it is now considered "new" and is not "up to code" so they are required to add in the railings. While it can be nice, I don't think it's necessary; that's ~96 rows for 44 sections that are all losing at least one seat because they have to cut off a section of the bench because the aisle isn't wide enough. That's over 4,000 seats lost just to add in some handrails, which aren't really even that necessary.
Terry Star21
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
Kenneth, you are right on, good call !
treetowncartel
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
Don Canham got this done by a former players company for something like $50,000 back when he was the AD.
Jake C
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
$50,000 sounds kinda cheap. Maybe that's how we ended up with a stadium covered in lead paint.
AACity12
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
"Michigan Stadium is likely getting a fresh coat of paint." So is my shed. Why is this news?
wcchamp4
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
because 112,000+ people dont come to your shed 6-7 times a year.......your shed isnt a landmark that is at a major intersection that thousands of people drive by everyday of the year.....
Ignatz
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
Your shed is news, just shed sized news.
A2comments
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
There are substantial areas of rust visible when the stadium is empty including The student section. I assume the project will take that long as they suspend work during the season.
annarborfan
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.
Athletic employees say they are separate from UM academia.
a2cents
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
very
Ron Granger
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
The Athletic Department seems to be springing a lot of short-notice surprises on the community. Do they have an actual plan to share with us, or will it all be some big secret until each element is announced? Is there a planning document that can be FOIA'd?
M-Wolverine
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
Yes, it's been a big secret. http://support.mgoblue.com/south-campus/explore/ If only Kyle or someone at AA.com had covered it. http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/09/michigan_provides_look_into_25.html http://www.annarbor.com/sports/michigan-to-spend-250-million-to-upgrade-facilities-for-non-revenue-sports/ Sneaky, secretive Athletic Department....
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:40 a.m.
If your house had lead paint it SHOULD be repainted, just as the Big House should. The stadium has over 700k people who are exposed to that lead paint. I doubt that many are exposed to yours.
a2citizen
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
It ain't my fault you live in "lower" buhr park.
Ron Granger
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
Painting my house does not involve a $6 million project and liberating tons of lead dust.
a2citizen
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
"...The Athletic Department seems to be springing a lot of short-notice surprises on the community..." Dude, they are painting their building. Do you get approval from your neighbors before you paint your house?
Evan Smith
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
This information has been in the public domain for quite awhile now. In fact there was another story on this just a little bit ago an AA.com
Ron Granger
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
Regular painting is essential to maintain the safety and longevity of infrastructure. The painting process also allows a comprehensive inspection for corrosion and other mechanical issues. The toxic dust from the surface prep, including the lead, drive up the cost of the process. It is surprising that they did not include this in the big renovation project.
Jake C
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
This "repainting" project is estimated to take a year and a half to complete. My guess is if they'd tried to do the two projects together (expansion, and renovation) the time required would have made it even more difficult to have a "normal" football game experience while the construction was ongoing.
murphthesurf
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
it would be nice if they spent some $s on the area around the stadium,like maybe new roads !! they stick the tax payers with the cost of new bridges even tho the uofm buses do as much or more damage to them as anything else does. !!
StopCrying
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
Talk to your mayor, it is not the job of the university to take care of the city. On the other hand you wouldn't have a city of this magnitude without UofM.
mohomed
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.
Do you know how much money those games bring into the city. Any other city would sell their city soul to get a cash cow like UM football.
Kellie Woodhouse
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
Readers: Recent and ongoing renovations to the basketball arena and the new player development center have cost $95.2 million. ($23.2M for the player development center, $20M for phase 1 of Crisler Center renovations and $52M for phase 2), and not $240 million as previously reported in this article.
HONDO
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:03 p.m.
If only they could put that $$ into the educational part of the school. Or campus safety. Or help the community with it. Or lower tuition so the smart less fortunate can attend. Or on campus alcohol awareness. Or anything but a builing that sits for empty for half the year...
StopCrying
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
This argument is brought up anytime spending is discussed within the athletic department. If UofM didn't have such a great athletic department they would be EMU. This argument is ridiculous and to think that the education side of the university does not benefit greatly from having the AD then you are just being ignorant.
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.
1. AD is a PROFIT center for the University. 2. The athletic department pays FULL tuition for the students (even out of state football players) so they actually lower tuition for other students who do not participate in athletics 3. I wonder do you have the same reaction when the medical center makes a profit and does not lower the tuition for doctors?
a2citizen
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
hondo, You must be new here. The athletic program is completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, self sustaining. The do not receive funding from the U-M operating budget. The football program, to a lesser extent the basketball and hockey programs, fund all of UM sports. ALL. DCAM: As far as paying a licensing fee, the Block M is sold because of athletics, not academics. Are you new here also?
mohomed
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
Why doesn't the women's studies or sociology departments ever get major money from um. Are they not very important parts to the university. The social "sciences" deserve more respect and more money too. Who cares if football brings in milions and millions and pays for almost all the other sports and scholarships for other students from diverse backgrounds thus enriching the student body and school.
bluemax79
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
you do realize the AD takes NO tax dollars for their programs right? and that M is one of if not the ONLY AD that does not take a discount on the scholarships they award. if a player is from out of state the AD pays full out of state tuition to the school. so they ARE helping the school. that plus all the great students that come to M because of name recognition from the sports programs. the community gets MILLIONS in revenue because of the M sports programs. how about knowing at least 1 thing about what your talking about before posting.
Dcam
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
a2, if the athletic department is only for the athletic department, then who is there for whom's benefit? Does the athletic department derive more benefit from being associated with UM or vice versa? Maybe UM should charge the athletic department a licensing fee, given their inwardness.
HONDO
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
oh ho like they dont take a cut from those sources for their over embelished sports program already. Pretty soon we will have to move the city so the campus can have all the space. Long time A2 resident and the school kids get dumber and snobbier every year, clean up the dilapidated student housing around the actual citizens. Yet it cost so much to scholar at the university, but yet their is so many false hope stars coming out of the athletic dept. I mean you think campus pd could supply more foot officers Thurs, Fri, Sat. around the bar hot spots. As a parent that would be more tuition money better spent right?
a2citizen
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
That's what tuition and state aid is for.
Ron Granger
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
Based on the recent trends of this athletic administration and their disregard for community standards, I'll be surprised if the paint isn't incredibly gaudy and overdone.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Nov 13, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
They wouldn't dare. It's called Halophobia!
Eep
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
Kellie, where did you get the $240 million for the Crisler Arena renovations? I haven't seen a number anywhere near that large in the previous articles or in any of the information released by the University regarding that project.
Kellie Woodhouse
Mon, Nov 12, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.
This was an error. Thank you very much for pointing it out.