By: Conor Lowery & Elliot Kwitek
Building plans for the CTEC building from the official UWGB website.
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Facilities Management program has plans for construction, concluding in 2027, centered around the Cofrin Technology & Education Center, known as CTEC. CTEC will replace the David A. Cofrin Library. The process will result in a substantial new addition to the campus. Similarly, the David A. Cofrin Library’s demolition will be completed during the same process.
A 2020 study conducted by the university concluded that a replacement building would be more cost-effective and better able to meet the community’s current and future needs compared to fixing up the current UWGB library. According to the University CTEC timeline page, on June 8, 2021, state funding for the CTEC project was approved in 2021 Wisconsin Act 58 and raised $96,297,000 for the project.
Facilities’ Michael Dorman’s responded to questions from The Fourth Estate by claiming the purpose of the CTEC building was that it was being constructed for “the replacement of Cofrin Library with a new vision of collaborative learning spaces.” Dorman also stated that “Tentatively, construction would begin April or May of 2025, move into the building early 2027 and demolition of Cofrin Library would begin shortly after and be finished by the end of 2027.”
Dorman followed up by explaining that the tunnel system of UWGB will not be severely altered through this project, stating the following: “The concourse will be reconnected where Cofrin Library was located; however, the new CTEC building and Rose Hall will remain disconnected from the concourse.” The tunnel system’s connection to CTEC’s construction was speculated on, but Dorman confirmed that no changes were planned for the tunnel system. “The concourse has no additional plans to be removed nor expanded after the CTEC project,” said Dorman. When asked about who would do the construction for the CTEC project, Dorman responded that it would be “The most qualified low bidder.”
Photo of Rose Hall, provided by Elliot Kwitek.
The construction of CTEC will not be without issues, as noted by Dorman. Dorman stated, “Logistics of construction and campus functionality in the immediate area” as potential issues, as well as “shipping and receiving concerns.” This could have an effect on the lifestyles of students in the area as well as the living conditions on campus, though what effect remains to be seen. Previous construction projects near residential areas have prompted student complaints regarding noise and air quality. Some students have expressed concern that these issues will recur during CTEC construction.
Dorman noted that there were also possibilities for the University Union to undergo renovations, adding that “There is a renovation project in our Capital Development plan for 2027-29 that we are requesting. However, that is all dependent on the State Legislature selection process.” The Union’s renovation is only a possibility, but the demolition of the Cofrin Library is a certainty. When asked if there were plans for other major construction projects on campus, Dorman’s response was one word: “Yes.”
Dorman stated that the most valuable thing for students to know about CTEC’s upcoming construction process was that “The students will be gaining a new facility with the re-sculpted courtyard that provides individual and group spaces that align with today’s vision for our students’ learning culture.”
Map plans for CTEC, showing its location as well as entrances.
Not all opinions on the construction around campus have been so positive, though; former UWGB Democracy & Justice Studies professor Nolan Bennett voiced that he felt the design and placement of the newer science building was noticeably disconnected from the rest of the campus. Bennett noted that the building is “facing away from campus, plastered with sponsors, disconnected from the tunnels and with no easy way to walk there from the union or the center of campus.”
Bennett proceeded to note his dissatisfaction and concerns with further construction projects, saying “I don’t know much about what went into those decisions, but it struck me as an ill portent how for future changes would be imagined.” Bennett is not alone in this stance whatsoever, as many students have expressed concerns about the change on campus.
An anonymous student voiced their concerns with the construction project, questioning the decisions that have been made between CTEC and the previous construction of Cort Condon Hall. This student said, “I like the vibe the library has now, but I also cannot deny the deteriorating structural integrity of it along with everything else on this campus, ie: MAC sinking, the entire Union building, and the quality of housing and the constant maintenance on elevators. But (campus administration) decided to build a new housing space instead of fixing existing problems.”
Other concerns were voiced by anonymous students, such as the transfer of physical materials from the library to digital media. “I love the library and its architecture,” said one student. “It’s one of my favorite spots on campus, and I’m very sad to see it go, but I understand that it would cost more to repair than to build a new one. I am, however, upset that they are making us limit our physical resources and transfer many to digital copies.” These concerns coincide with general ones about the material preservation status of the Cofrin Library’s contents.
A third student expressed serious concerns about the Cofrin Library’s demolition and the construction of CTEC. “I don’t like that they will disrupt the environment, as I know there is a hawk’s nest that lives in the library,” said this student. They then voiced their sentiments on the UWGB campus’ library, saying, “I know the demolition will cause a disturbance of the wildlife on campus.”
However, this student expressed support for CTEC’s connections with Wisconsin’s First Nations communities, saying, “I like that they will be implementing the FNS on the first floor, making it more accessible for Elders as well as having an area for FNS outside.” The student concluded by noting that it may be necessary for the reconstruction of the UWGB campus to build the CTEC building, saying, “I feel it is necessary and will help Green Bay campus as a whole. Maybe if they could find ways after disturbing the wildlife to help restore or preserve it is something they should consider.”
Overall, while there is contention over the plans to demolish the Cofrin Library and to build the CTEC building, UWGB plans to go ahead and complete the construction projects, with more plans to change the campus layout and buildings in the future. Student opinion on the CTEC building has yet to be determined.