Dr. Mark Christenson

BSU faculty located in Hagg-Sauer hall recall their favorite memories of their time in the building. Built in 1970, Hagg-Sauer hall is set to be replaced with an updated facility in the Fall of 2020.

When Gov. Mark Dayton signed Minnesota’s 2018 state bonding bill into law on May 29, Bemidji State University took a major step toward completion of a brand new Hagg-Sauer Hall and renovation of four other academic buildings by Fall 2020.

After more than five years of planning and delay, the $825 million bonding bill adopted by the Minnesota Legislature included $22.5 million to demolish the existing 48-year-old Hagg-Sauer Hall and replace it with a new, smaller and state-of the-art learning center on the same lakeshore site. The project also will fund significant upgrades in the A.C. Clark Library, Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex and Bensen and Sattgast halls that include study spaces adjacent to faculty offices.

Classrooms in the original 82,000-square-foot Hagg-Sauer building, completed in 1970, have poor wheelchair access, lack flexibility for group study and are not outfitted with modern interactive learning technology. The lakeshore building has also been plagued by basement water seepage, contributing to more than $9 million in deferred maintenance.

The new building, just 27,700 square feet, will have a variety of flexible learning spaces and state-of-the-art technology. Its energy-efficient design features extensive windows overlooking Lake Bemidji and native plant landscaping that will connect with the expanse of Lakeside Lawn.

Plans call for Hagg-Sauer to be demolished as soon as July 2019, with the goal of having the new building open for classes in Fall 2020.