Memorial Hall Work in Final Stages | News

Photo taken in late April show progress toward completion of the Memorial Hall renovation by summer: Exterior view from Birchmont Avenue.

Photo taken in late April show progress toward completion of the Memorial Hall renovation by summer: Rear exterior facing Lake Bemidji showing new elevator shaft and east entrance.

Photo taken in late April show progress toward completion of the Memorial Hall renovation by summer: First-floor lounge/study area connecting group-learning classrooms with sliding glass “garage door” panels.

Photo taken in late April show progress toward completion of the Memorial Hall renovation by summer: First-floor hallway showing preservation of the original gymnasium floor on the left.

Bemidji State’s $14 million project to renovate Memorial Hall into a new home for its business and accounting programs is on track for completion by late July.

In September, BSU broke ground on the project, which in addition to the complete renovation of Memorial Hall saw Sanford Hall demolished and will lead to a complete renovation of Decker Hall.

Transformation of Memorial Hall’s former basketball gym into new office and classroom space is nearly complete. Framing and drywall were completed in April, and interior finishes are underway.

The most dramatic exterior work has taken place on the east side of the building, facing Lake Bemidji. There, a new glass facade will extend Memorial Hall’s footprint closer to Sattgast Hall. By April, when the accompanying photos were taken, work had progressed to the point where that new rear lobby and elevator tower were taking shape.

Events to dedicate, celebrate and show off Memorial Hall and related campus improvements are planned during Homecoming, Oct. 2-4, with more information forthcoming once plans are finalized.

Support academic programs through naming opportunities
Bemidji State University has established philanthropic naming opportunities within Memorial Hall valued between $10,000 and $500,000. Funds will support academic initiatives by the College of Business, Technology and Communication. Contact Rob Bollinger, executive director for University Advancement, (218) 755-4147 or rbollinger@bemidjistate.edu.