Project Background

Following finalist presentations on May 27, 2020, the Multicultural Center Feasibility Study Planning Committee selected the architectural and engineering team of Hamilton Anderson Associates of Detroit and Moody Nolan of Columbus, Ohio, to develop a feasibility study for a proposed campus multicultural center.

Both minority-owned firms have experience in educational and other projects, including processes soliciting and integrating stakeholder engagement, which will be a key component of the MSU project process. The two firms previously collaborated on the West Village development in Detroit, and Hamilton Anderson previously worked on the expansion of Wells Hall at MSU.

The team also includes Desai Nasr/IMEG for structural engineering,  Stephen Kirk Associates for cost modeling and assessment and PBA Associates for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering.

This feasibility study seeks to establish a center that will build on existing programs and facilities and strive to create an inclusive community that meets our diverse student population’s social, emotional and intellectual development in a 21st-century context. This process will be collaborative and inclusive of all voices across student identity groups and campus stakeholders.

The planning process will include consideration of diversity, equity and inclusion programming across campus and include multiple points of student, faculty and staff contact for collection of ideas and other input. The current timeline anticipates presentation of the study to the MSU Board of Trustees in February 2021.

The firms will develop a comprehensive framework for a campus multicultural center that could involve new construction or a building addition or renovation supporting the overall mission and goals of Michigan State University to foster a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment. The study will assemble the necessary information as a precursor to moving the project forward into the more detailed planning and design process, including preliminary conceptual cost assessment.

Budget process

The program, scope, estimated cost and eventual budget are developed through the multi-step and iterative process for a capital project. The feasibility study focuses on developing and refining the programmatic purpose, development of the space types, adjacencies, square footage, estimated cost range of the overall project and proposed location — whether a renovation, addition or new construction (with the possibility of more than one option to consider at this stage).  

The next step after the feasibility study is planning. Components of the feasibility study are further refined through the planning process as architectural and engineering details emerge, as well as refinement of the estimated cost and budget.  

As we move through the feasibility study to the planning phase, the estimated cost and budget will be determined and the funding approach, including university and fundraising contributions, will be developed.

Program information:

Hamilton Anderson/Moody Nolan request for qualifications brochure

Hamilton Anderson/Moody Nolan request for proposals brochure

Rainy Hamilton biography

Jonathan Moody biography

Watch the MSU multicultural center feasibility study update of Nov. 9, 2020

Watch the community engagement session of Feb. 9, 2021

Read the planning presentation from the Feb. 9, 2021 community engagement session

Read the final multicultural center feasibility study report

Presentation to the MSU Board of Trustees April 16, 2021

SmithGroup selected to design multicultural center Jan. 10, 2022

SmithGroup request for qualifications brochure

SmithGroup team video

SmithGroup steering committee presentation Jan. 25, 2023

SmithGroup multicultural center FAQs February 2023

SmithGroup model fly-through video