EAST LANSING — Michigan State University will spend more than $340 million to construct a new Engineering and Digital Innovation Center.
The MSU Board of Trustees on Friday, Oct. 31, voted unanimously to move ahead with the new engineering center at the southwest corner of Red Cedar Road and and West Shaw Lane, near the College of Engineering Building and STEM Teaching and Learning Facility.
“This is one of the most incredible, impressive, impactful things you’re going to see … and what it’s going to mean for the success of generations of Spartans,” Trustee Mike Balow said about the project.
The building will have dedicated spaces for digital learning with active classrooms, teaching laboratories, student project studios and a home for e-sports. There will be dedicated spaces for experimental and computational research as well, according to the university’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities website.
Additionally, the building will support increased enrollment in computer science fields and related programs. The close proximity to the engineering and STEM buildings is meant to increase collaboration in teaching, learning and research. The center will be used to attract and retain top talent in the state as well.
Construction on the center expected to be completed by summer 2028, MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said.
The Board on Friday also approved restarting the planning process for the Spartan Gateway development, which is intended to bring a multi-use space to campus in a public-private partnership. Project proposals include bringing an additional hotel to campus and retail spaces.
The university has identified $100 million in potential private donations for the engineering building project, MSU president Kevin Guskiewicz said, and received $30 million from the state of Michigan’s 2023-24 fiscal year education budget.
“This is going to be an incredible opportunity for us to get out in front, ahead of others in this digital innovation space,” Guskiewicz said. “I’m grateful for all that’s gone into this by so many people over many years.”
MSU alumni Mary and Michael Lamach donated $10 million to the project. In response, trustees voted to name the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center’s auditorium and lobby after the couple. The $10 million is the only confirmed donation so far, McCann told the LSJ.
Mike Lamach earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from MSU and went on to serve as CEO of Ingersoll Rand and Trane Technologies, a manufacturing company. Former teacher Mary Lamach earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Michigan State. The two met on campus and have been married for 42 years. They were the first donors for the project.
The board also on Friday voted to seek a $70 million capital outlay from the state to support the development of the project for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The university had requested funding during the 2025-26 fiscal year, but was denied, Trustee Sandy Pierce said.
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU plans $340 million engineering center. Timeline, funding, location
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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