Regents Approve Crisler Stadium Renovations Schematic Design

A2.com is reporting that the Regents have approved the schematic design of the Crisler Arena renovations.  Highlights:

New seats and a redesigned configuration - including a moved student section - are among schematic design changes approved for the University of Michigan's Crisler Arena, it was decided at the U-M Board of Regents meeting Thursday.

Changes include replacing the seats in the lower bowl with wider and relocated aisles, as well as improved seating to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The roof will be replaced, the building will receive an entire electrical and technological upgrade, and a new fire suppression system and other safety systems will be part of the renovations.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in the winter of 2012. Funding will be provided from athletic department resources.

Here is the Athletic Department's Action Request (pdf) that was reviewed and approved by the Regents this evening.

[Edit: Tom from AA links to this A2.com article from Jan 2010 that provides some clarity about the student section.]

Re-seating of the lower bowl will not displace the Maize Rage student section. Martin said “we want the students to be behind the bench.” Instead, though, he said architects might look at moving the benches - and the students - to the other side of the court. But nothing was definite with that.

The same article states the following regarding phase 2:

Future phases could possibly address what would be left in the Arena, including the upper bowl, the concourses, the playing floor and other more cosmetic things.