Board authorizes demolitions at UW–Eau Claire and UW–Milwaukee, plans new quad at UWM

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved a proposal to demolish four buildings at UW–Eau Claire and the old chemistry building at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and to redevelop the Milwaukee site as a new campus quadrangle.

Alex Roe, a system presenter, said the Eau Claire buildings — constructed in 1951 — are obsolete and that their removal supports a plan to replace the footprint with green space, pedestrian walkways and new site lighting. Roe said UWM has opened a new chemistry building (fall 2024) and is moving equipment and materials out of the older building to prepare for demolition. The board received an earlier enumeration that consolidated multi‑building demolition funding into a $45,400,000 authorization covering multiple campuses; Roe said demand from campuses has accelerated and some projects that had been planned over six years are being readied in a two‑year window.

Regent Joan made the second recorded acknowledgment of the motion on the floor; no regent recorded opposition during the voice vote and the motion carried. Board presenters said removing vacant, obsolete buildings will reduce operating expenses and eliminate ongoing oversight and minimal utility service costs otherwise required for unused facilities.

The board approved the demolition and redevelopment authority on a voice vote. The system will coordinate project timing and site preparations with the individual campuses and use the multi‑building enumeration to cover demolition work across institutions.