Building Projects
UW–Madison’s capital request focuses on three major priorities — resolving the Humanities Building problem, expanding student housing and creating modern academic space in historic Music Hall — along with targeted investments in classrooms, residence halls, safety systems and other essential infrastructure.
UW–Madison 2027–2029 Capital Budget Priorities
Humanities Relocation & Demolition
The 2025–27 state budget included $5 million for planning this project. The 2027–29 request builds on that work by relocating Art and Music and fully vacating and demolishing the deteriorating Humanities Building. Read more about this project. Request: $463.5 M ($416.7 M GFSB, $46.8 M gifts/grants)
New Student Housing
University Housing is operating at 114% capacity, with lounges converted to bedrooms and more than 700 double rooms used as triples. The project would add 2,000 beds, increasing capacity for first-year students and reducing the need for overflow housing. Request: $393.4M (100% PRSB, no GFSB requested)
Music Hall Addition & Renovation – Phase II
Complete the development of a permanent home for the La Follette School of Public Affairs. Phase II would add three 60-seat classrooms, collaboration and study areas, offices and conference rooms while supporting growth of the new undergraduate public policy degree. Request: $63.2M GFSB
Additional Capital Priorities: $155.877 M
Instructional spaces
Classroom and instructional-space renovations in Chamberlin, Chemistry, Birge and Sterling halls. Request: $18.264M
Safety, reliability and maintenance
Fire alarm and smoke detection upgrades, elevator modernization, emergency power improvements and Camp Randall repairs. Request: $58.587M
Student housing maintenance and renovations
Maintenance and repairs at Adams and Tripp residence halls and renovations at Eagle Heights Apartments. Request: $38.176M
Health and campus operations
Additional parking for American Family Children’s Hospital patients and visitors and a new Environmental Health & Safety waste facility. Request: $56.94M
Planning and future infrastructure
Planning and design for utility systems, the Linden Drive utility tunnel and future residence hall and facilities renovations. Request: $6.446 M
Find out how you can help advance these priorities in the next state budget.