PROVIDENCE, RI — Gilbane Development Company, the real estate development, financing, ownership and management arm of Gilbane Inc., has been selected by Western Michigan University (WMU) with the intent in the next six months to enter into a public-private partnership to design, build, finance, operate and maintain some or all of The Hilltop Village project on its main campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gilbane Building Company will serve as construction manager.

The Hilltop Village will revitalize the gateway to WMU with improved amenities, facilities and access providing an enhanced user experience for students, faculty, staff and the greater Kalamazoo community. WMU plans to reimagine the entire southern portion of its main campus with student housing and student academic/support spaces, along with a dynamic mixed-use district including office, research, retail, entertainment, hotel/conference, housing and parking uses.

WMU’s overarching goals for this initiative are three-fold: First, to provide campus amenities that will strengthen its recruitment and retention efforts. Second, to enhance the visual experience of the Stadium Drive corridor. And finally, to energize its campus, bringing the academic community together with the wider Kalamazoo community.

“Gilbane looks forward to its partnership with Western Michigan University in delivering The Hilltop Village,” said John D. Keegan, PE, Vice President of Gilbane Development Company. “This is a transformative initiative, one which will further strengthen the bond between WMU and the greater Kalamazoo community while advancing WMU’s objectives for student recruitment, advancement and success. We are honored to have been selected by WMU and look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders in making its vision a reality.”

“With stakeholders across campus, we have engaged in more than a year of planning for this major redevelopment at WMU, and there is still have a long way to go before The Hilltop Village vision is realized, but we are excited to be at this key juncture in the project and to partner with Gilbane,” said David Dakin, WMU Director of Planning, Space Management and Capital Projects.