Madison Reporter

The State Building Commission recently reached a stalemate with a 4-4 vote, delaying several construction projects on University of Wisconsin campuses. Among these is the proposed new Engineering Building at UW–Madison.

The decision from December 18 means that UW–Madison cannot proceed with the project until it receives permission to construct or demolish the current site. Craig Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Relations, expressed disappointment over the delay but noted that there is still support within the commission. "At least one member of the Building Commission who voted not to move forward today also said that he ‘desperately’ wants to get the Engineering Building done," Thompson stated. "So do we. This building is good for our students, good for industry, good for research, and good for the state of Wisconsin."

Thompson emphasized that any extended delay could increase costs and jeopardize the project's success. He remarked, "Time is certainly of the essence. We stand ready to sit down with members of the legislature and State Building Commission to continue conversations, answer questions, provide additional information and resolve any remaining issues as quickly as possible."

The proposed building has garnered support from Wisconsin industry leaders. It aims to enable UW–Madison to admit more engineering students into its College of Engineering, addressing a growing demand for engineers in Wisconsin and encouraging graduates to remain in-state working for local companies.

Additionally, the College seeks to maintain its status as a leader in research areas critical to future technologies such as clean energy, water management, robotics, autonomous systems, and sustainability.