University of Michigan's Power Center to get a $1.5M upgrade

One of University of Michigan's largest and most-used entertainment venues will be getting a $1.5 million renovation soon.

The Board of Regents approved a project that will bring new seating, lighting and carpeting to the university's Power Center, located at 121 Fletcher St. The main lobby will be repainted, bathrooms will be redone and safety features will be updated.

The Power Center hasn't had a major improvement since it was built in 1971, said U-M Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow.

"It will feel very new," Slottow said during a public board meeting on Thursday held at U-M's Dearborn campus. Slottow expects the project to be completed in spring 2015. The 45,100-square-foot Power Center has nearly 1,370 seats and is home to music, dance and theater performances sponsored by the University of Michigan, University Musical Society and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.