GRAND RAPIDS | Development Thread

[DetroitMan]

See details of GVSU’s $166M project to build Blue Dot technology hub

A four-story, 58,247-square-foot building addition at a cost of $64.6 million. An “immersive reality lab” with 360-degree video displays, allowing for group virtual reality experiences. A main floor cafe, inviting the community in to learn more about Grand Valley State University’s downtown technology hub.

And a $139 million bond to pay for it all. On Friday, Feb. 6, the GVSU Board of Trustees approved two project plans totaling $166 million to build a new Blue Dot technology hub in downtown Grand Rapids. To cover the cost, the university approved issuing bonds not to exceed $139 million. The decision was applauded by GVSU leaders and decried by some faculty members who attended the meeting.

The bonds will cover the $101.4 million renovation of the 10-story L.V. Eberhard Center in downtown Grand Rapids, along with a new, $64.6 million building addition that will become the Blue Dot Lab.

The new bonds will bring GVSU close to its “high-water mark” for total bond debt, which was just over $260 million in 2020.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/...ct-to-build-blue-dot-technology-hub.html