EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. for its new, state-of-the-art Executive Development Center complex.
The University Park complex will be located on Forest Road across from the University Research Park and adjacent to the existing University Club facility. The complex will include the 96,000-square-foot Executive Development Center (EDC) and a 127-room hotel.
Under the leadership of MSU's Eli Broad Graduate School of Management and in collaboration with other university colleges, the EDC will host executive-style training and development programs.
"Among the key objectives of this center is the opportunity to provide multidisciplinary professional education opportunities for business executives and to partner with other colleges at MSU to provide executive-style educational programs tailored to each college's unique professional constituents," said James B. Henry, dean of The Eli Broad College of Business and Graduate School of Management at MSU. "This center has been designed specifically for this purpose, but will also utilize the latest educational technologies to facilitate distance learning for students in programs using a mix of on- and off-site instruction."
The EDC will contain two 100-seat high-technology amphitheaters, 23 configurable break-out rooms seating between 8 and 48 people, two 48-seat tiered-seating classrooms, a commons area for dining with seating capacity for 320, a boardroom-style formal meeting room and a casual four seasons room lounge overlooking a 3,400-square-foot raised terrace and the Forest Akers West golf course.
"I'm excited about the center and the role it can play in our continuing relationship with our college's alumni, friends and supporters," said James D. Spaniolo, dean of MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences. "The state-of-the-art facility will give us many opportunities to serve both our alumni and other professionals in communications."
The building also is planned to house the starter and pro shop for the Forest Akers West golf course and a 10,000-square-foot health club with aerobics and weight training rooms, locker rooms and juice bar. The EDC will connect physically to the hotel and to The University Club building, and the Club will provide food services to program participants at the center.
"As the pioneer land grant institution, Michigan State University has an important responsibility to develop new and innovative approaches for supporting the on-going education of individuals, organizations and corporations in matters of practical significance," said Richard H. Jury, director of executive development programs.
"The new Executive Development Center provides an unparalleled opportunity to support such efforts on a university-wide basis."
In addition to the University Club, Candlewood Hotel Co., Vista Asset Management Inc. and Parish Corp. will be involved in the project. A Candlewood-Vista company will build the hotel, which Candlewood will operate. Candlewood's national reservations system and focus on the business traveler complement the intense multi-day MSU educational programs for business organizations at the EDC.
A Parish-Vista company will own the EDC, which MSU will lease for its programs. The two development companies have employed Parish Corp. as their project manager, affording coordinated design and construction services for the entire project. Keystone Design Group of Lansing is the architect for the EDC and is providing coordinating architectural services for the hotel.
Candlewood Hotel Co. owns, operates and franchises Candlewood Suites, which targets mid-market business travelers and others on short or long-term travel. The company also has recently launched a franchising program for its newest brand, Cambridge Suites by Candlewood. Continuous quality improvement programs are key operational components for both.
Candlewood Chairman and CEO Jack DeBoer - who founded Residence Inn and co-founded Summerfield Suites in the 1970s and 1980s - founded Candlewood in 1995. He is recognized in the hotel industry as the creator of the extended-stay concept. There are currently 76 Candlewood Suites open coast-to-coast, with more under construction.
Vista Asset Management Inc. is engaged in a diversified selection of real estate development projects in Michigan and Florida.
The complex is anticipated to open in spring 2001.
