EAST LANSING - All's quiet on the hardwood basketball court and inside the arena at the Breslin Student Events Center on the Michigan State University campus.

But in the facility's concourse and just about everywhere else, there is an excuse-our-dust atmosphere of jackhammering, drilling, and all manner of construction activity this summer, as the building trades, Barton Malow and their subcontractors are on site, performing a makeover focusing on improving the visitor experience and building a new MSU Basketball Hall of History.

"We have three goals with this project," said Jeff Bonk, MSU's design representative for the project, standing in an arena concourse that's being widened and improved. "We want to improve functionality, provide an outstanding experience for fans, and show off our legacy. We want people to come here and know what Michigan State University is all about."

Work on the Breslin Center expansion began early this year, and is expected to be substantially complete in August 2017 with final completion by June 2018. It's a $50 million project that was the result of a university assessment of the 27-year-old building, which focused on critical repairs and maintenance, as well as ways in which the visitor experience could be improved.

From that assessment, MSU says, it was determined that these improvements should be addressed: Expanding and improving concession areas and concourses, which will be 17 feet wider; improving bathroom facilities; upgrading passenger and freight elevators; improving exterior entrances and parking lots; and replacing chiller and water connections.

To passersby, the most visible part of the project during this part of the construction phase is the massive hole in the ground on the southeast side of the Breslin Center. To be constructed there will be a 26,000 square-foot MSU Basketball Hall of History, which will utilize technology to highlight team and individual accomplishments of the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

In addition, the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center, accessible from both auxiliary gyms on the mezzanine level, will be constructed below the Hall of History. That area also will include a locker room for former MSU student-athletes currently playing professional basketball to utilize for training during the offseason.

“The opportunity to be involved with a facility project that has a positive and direct impact on our student-athletes and the entire university community is exciting,” said MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. “While the Breslin Center project addresses a number of issues related to the building’s operations, it will greatly enhance the experience for those attending any of its events.

“The ability to showcase our university and basketball programs’ history will be one of the key and noticeable features once the project is complete. In addition, former and current student-athletes will have an opportunity to prepare in one of the nation’s finest basketball complexes.”

MSU's Bonk said university officials "had basically felt that the building had reached its peak in terms of usability," but erecting a new building was never seriously considered. Original mechanical systems were outdated. So were the bathrooms, which didn't meet current construction codes. There was also room for improvement in modernizing lighting and electrical systems. Upgrades to all those areas and more are now being undertaken.

Barton Malow is managing the project. Project Manager Kevin Waldman said the project is currently at peak employment of about 80 Hardhats  "They're awesome; doing great," he said. "We're getting this done in a building that's occupied and continues to be open, so there's a lot going on here." Little work will be done on the interior during basketball season, which extends the timeline of the project

The Breslin Student Events Center, named in honor of long-time MSU administrator Jack Breslin, first opened its doors in 1989. Every year it hosts more than 200 events, productions, conferences and meetings, as well as serving as home to the MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams.

"The Breslin Center is already one of the great home court advantages in college basketball, and this will only serve to improve the overall fan experience," said MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo. "The Hall of History will be an amazing addition to the Breslin Center. Michigan State has a rich basketball tradition and this will be the perfect way in which to display it to Spartan fans, alumni, and recruits. The technology involved will allow for great flexibility and ensure that the displays are current. The Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center and the new one-of-a-kind locker room for Spartan pros are also great additions and signs of our commitment to our student-athletes both during their time at Michigan State and even once they move on in life. They will always have a home at MSU.

“I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

INSTALLING CABLE TRAY in the to-be-revamped concourse of the Breslin Center at Michigan State University is Glen Lutt of IBEW Local 665. He’s employed by Superior Electric.

CARVED OUT OF THE SOUTHEAST SIDE of the MSU Breslin Center is the underpinnings of the new 26,000-square-foot MSU Basketball Hall of History, the Draymond Green Strength and Conditioning Center, and space for a locker room for alumni MSU student-athletes. Barton Malow is managing the entire Breslin Center renovation, expansion and addition project.

PAINTER Annie Symonds of Local 845/Michigan Painters District Council applies a new coat of Spartan Green to a column in the concourse of the Breslin Center at Michigan State University, which is under renovation. She’s employed by R & L Painting.