The Angell Hall Computing Site is one of the most popular places to study and do classwork on campus.
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The school wants to expand the Angell Hall Computing Site, more commonly referred to as the 'fishbowl' by students, and install new furnishings, flooring, and accessible features, according to a memo from U-M chief financial officer Timothy Slottow to the school's Board of Regents. The large computer lab is located in a large courtyard within the Angell Hall and Mason Hall joint building.
The site is one of the most popular places to study and do classwork on campus. It contains more than 135 computers and 18 printers for student use.
The regents will vote on whether or not to approve the project at their monthly meeting on Dec. 13. Once a construction project has been placed on the regents' public agenda, as the Angell Hall renovation has, it is almost always unanimously approved by regents.
Three nearby computer-equipped classrooms also will be updated, as will several safety features, including the addition of new fire alarms and the extension of existing fire suppression systems in the building's basement, hallways and in the Angell Hall Auditorium area.
The renovation will span 32,000 square feet.
The renovation will be designed in-house, by the U-M department of architecture, engineering and construction, and is expected to provide an average of 14 on-site construction jobs, according to U-M estimates.
The university intends to finish the retrofit in fall 2013.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.