Albertson Hall will close after May 20 to prepare for relocation of services and building replacement on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus.
Design and planning continue for replacing the 54-year-old Albertson Hall. Relocation of services and resources is underway and will continue through summer for University College, University Library, Archives, student support services and Information Technology, among others.
A celebration of Albertson Hall will be held Thursday, May 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the lobby. Open to the public, it will include presentations, historic photographs, trivia, refreshments and an opportunity to share memories.
The building was named for James H. Albertson, who served as UW-Stevens Point president from 1962-1967 and envisioned a learning resource center for students, noted Brad Casselberry, head of Archives and Area Research Center, housed in Albertson. “Dr. Albertson believed that every available tool should be used to promote learning, and that was realized in this building.”
The Museum of Natural History will remain open until May 15 on the first floor of Albertson. Sendoff activities are planned for May 12-15. The museum will permanently move to the first floor of the Science Building, with some displays and programming by the end of 2022.
All services for students, faculty and staff will remain on campus. Student services, such as Academic and Career Advising, Disability Resource Center, Tutoring and Learning Center and Library reference and circulation will be temporarily relocated to the Collins Classroom Center.
Library resources and Archives will continue to be available to the community. The library collection will be stored temporarily in a climate-controlled facility in Plover. Patrons can request an item from the offsite location by using the “Local Request” option in Search@UW. Users need sign in to use this feature, and community visitors can do this with their guest account. More information can be found here (www3.uwsp.edu/library/Pages/moving.aspx).
Archives will be available as of July 1 in the Trainer Natural Resources building, Room 110.
Albertson Hall is scheduled to be razed in the winter of 2023. Construction on a new facility will begin in the summer of 2023 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.
Albertson Hall has been a top priority for UW-Stevens Point and UW System because of significant structural concerns and accessibility challenges. The deteriorating condition of the structure, fire suppression, mechanical and HVAC systems resulted in the project shifting from renovation to replacement. In July 2021, the state Legislature and governor approved $96 million to fund the replacement project.
UW-Stevens Point Facility Services staff, Albertson Hall occupants and students have been involved with Workshop Architects, Wisconsin Division of Facilities Development (DFD) and UW System staff in developing preliminary designs. A new, more efficient facility will be four stories on the same, but smaller building footprint. Student support services will be easily accessible on the first floor. Student study spaces throughout the building will include a 24-hour access student lounge.
The project prioritizes sustainable and healthy measures, noted Allison Henke, campus planner. State DFD Sustainability Guidelines for Capital Projects were used throughout the design process.
“The new building incorporates biophilic design throughout to create visual connections to nature, in particular, Schmeeckle Reserve,” Henke said. The facility will include many sustainable initiatives including green roofs, bird collision deterrence on windows, native vegetation, indoor water efficiency, wellness rooms and the use of recycled and sustainable materials.
The Specht Forum will also be refurbished. Based on campus input, it will be transformed from a hardscaped scene to a park-like setting with ample green space. The sundial (sunburst) design will be incorporated into the new design.
More information on the project and relocations is available at the Albertson Building Central website (www3.uwsp.edu/albertson-building-central/Pages/departments-services.aspx).
“Albertson’s original vision of a building that contains more than books will be carried forward into the new building as we emphasize inclusive access to student success resources and create an intellectual commons that facilitates discovery of knowledge, innovation and collaboration,” said Mindy King, library director.