The $4.6 renovation was paid for by Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) funds.
This is the first time Cina Hall has been updated since it was built in 1958. It houses the College of Liberal Arts programs and is one of the busiest buildings on campus.
The 15-month renovation includes an upgrade to Cina’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
Chancellor Lendley (Lynn) Black says renovating instead of rebuilding was a conscious decision. “This is a great example of asset preservation and the importance of optimizing our current facilities while providing an improved learning experience for our students."
Fire doors were also added and classrooms were painted. Each room has an orange accent wall chosen by the American Indian Studies Department. The color represents the sun rising over Lake Superior.
Before the renovation, Cina used steam heat that was often described as “stuffy.” Project manager John Kessler says the new ventilation system will provide fresh air. “Cina now has mechanical ventilation that takes outside air and heats or cools it as it’s pumped through the building’s ceiling ducts.”
During the renovation, more than 70 faculty and staff members were relocated to other buildings while five semi-trailers stored their office furniture.