Bowling Green State University recently unveiled the new Hanna-Maurer Center on its historic Ohio campus. The project renovated, expanded, and modernized the existing 1921 Hanna Hall to house the University’s new home of the College of Business Administration. The 40,000 SF renovation updated the building’s interior and delivered a new 50,000 SF addition. Now complete, the building serves as the new “front door” to the University.

Delivered using the CM-at-Risk method, the project creates a space for faculty, students, and business professionals to engage and collaborate. Interior spaces promote interaction, while classrooms, labs, offices, and other spaces are intermixed on each floor to encourage informal learning. Hill International (Hill), as a subconsultant to Resource International, provided onsite construction management for the project. Led by Project Manager David Ender, CCM, PMP, Hill’s tasks included performing daily project inspections for quality, safety, and conformity to the construction documents.  Hill also tracked and reviewed all change orders and monthly draw request.  Hill worked hand in hand with the architect and CM-at-Risk Mosser Construction to prioritize and review submittals and RFIs. Hill also performed weekly full-schedule reviews to help ensure the project would be delivered on time.

Ender said of the project, “This project was part of the University’s “Traditions to Tomorrow” Master Plan, and it lives up to its name. The new spaces are designed and built to enforce, let alone encourage, interaction among the students and faculty, as well as the local business community. Bowling Green is emphasizing its business program’s prowess, and this project shows it.” Ender noted the Center is also seeking LEED certification.

The project was not without challenges. Located in the middle of a busy campus, there was limited space for logistics and staging, let alone material laydown. In addition, the building had not undergone a significant renovation since its original construction 98 years ago. Working with Mosser, team addressed these issues before breaking ground, detailing plans and protocols to protect the University community without compromising project schedule or budget.

Says Ender, “The team got out in front of all the challenges on this job. Updating the mechanical systems, connecting to the original building, protecting the character of the original building were all concerns, and we did it all while keeping the site safe and secure and meeting the specified quality standards.” Hill’s own contributions supported the contractor’s efforts as well, contributing to plans and changes throughout the project process and keeping the University informed and up to date.

Ender cited one particular example: “The morning after the pit for the elevator was excavated there was a large amount of ground water that had entered the pit during the night. Mosser and Hill reviewed this issue onsite and determined the best option to extend the life of the elevator pit and keep future expenses down was to install an additional sump pump.  We informed the University of the issue and our recommendation to fix the problem.  The University approved the sump pump and was appreciative that their best interest for the life of the building was our first consideration.”

In addition, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the project kept moving forward with multiple, daily cleanings of the site and making certain the team practiced social distancing. These steps kept everyone healthy onsite while helping to meet the scheduled completion date of Fall 2020.

The refurbished Center still features its original historical facade on the west side of the building, while the new east side connects to a striking three-story atrium. The facility is equipped with a cafe, classrooms and student organization space housing the hub for the College. The total project cost was $44.2 million.

Originally named Hanna Hall, the Center was renamed the Hanna-Maurer Center after Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer donated $5 million toward the renovations. Ender explained, “Mr. Maurer said he doesn’t consider the project a gift, but more of an investment. I’d say he can expect dividends soon.”

The Hanna-Maurer Center is ready to accept students and faculty for the Fall 2020 semester.