But since the museum’s inception, problems, rather than an actual facility, have built up.

On more than one occasion, fundraising woes pushed back the timeline for the museum’s construction.

In March 2009, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said external estimates put the museum’s cost at $160 million, about four times more than original estimates of $40 million to $45 million. One year after Simon’s statement, university officials have said the museum is back within its original budget.

To cut costs, the museum’s architect, London-based Zaha Hadid Architects, had to return to the drawing board last spring to address concerns over the building’s design.

“It’s been a huge challenge because MSU has been known for decades for science, technology and agriculture,” said Mark Terman, director of principle gifts for University Development. “It’s only been in recent decades we’ve focused more on the arts.”

Now, with a groundbreaking date set, university officials said they are confident the museum soon will be a reality.

Keeping the cash flowing

With about $33 million in private donations raised as of Wednesday, MSU still must raise $7 million before it reaches its goal.

The project recently benefited from a second donation from the museum’s namesake couple, billionaire alumnus Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe. The pair donated an additional $2 million last week on top of their initial contribution of $26 million.

Of their total gift, $21 million is earmarked for construction and $7 million for exhibits, art acquisitions and museum operations.

“Obviously, in these economic times, raising money for arts projects is challenging, and this has been as well,” Simon said.

Having consulted the museum’s construction management firm, Barton Malow, Hadid and the MSU Physical Plant, Simon said she is confident the project will finish on schedule.

“I’ve been reassured … that the project will be on time and on budget,” she said.

Terman said the university is optimistic it will raise the full $40 million because opportunities exist to attract donors in more areas.

“There are still more donor prospects to work with, although we need some others to step up in realizing this is a real university priority,” he said.

Linda Stanford, associate provost for academic services, said the Board of Trustees would not have approved the project were the university not confident it could raise all the funds needed to finish construction. She said a groundbreaking ceremony will serve as a final push to complete the needed fundraising.

“We still have to keep moving and keep fundraising,” Stanford said. “And I believe once people actually see the shovel digging the hole in the ground, they’ll say, ‘This is going to happen.’”

MSU Trustee Melanie Foster said although funding setbacks have caused deadlines to be pushed back, she believes the university will raise enough funds to complete the museum’s construction.

“I’m confident that the remainder of the funding, even in these difficult times, will fall into order within the next year,” she said.

Minor changes

The most up-to-date renderings of the museum were given to the university by Hadid in October, said Lisa Mulcrone, senior communications manager with University Relations.

Stanford said the museum’s design changed minimally, mostly in an effort to maximize use of the space within.

Although Hadid’s original plans called for 41,000 square feet, the final designs include 46,000 square feet.

More than 69 percent of the overall square footage will be used as gallery space, Stanford said.

Offices for museum administrators and storage space were taken out of the museum to maximize gallery space as well as curb construction costs.

“The goal today and in contemporary museums is to have all the spaces really be thought about in a way where there’s more interaction with the spectator,” Stanford said.

The building’s exterior still will feature pleated walls and a pleated roof, part of Hadid’s original design. Stanford said Hadid made minor changes to the exterior, taking into account factors such as snow and winter weather.

Foster said the design changes allow the university to put donated money to its most effective use.

“The university is approaching this project with cautious optimism,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that we had a plan that could be built within budget.”

What’s ahead

Stanford said although it took time to set a groundbreaking date for the museum, the original timeline for the building’s completion still stands. She said once ground breaking happens in March, construction will take about 23 months.

Even when construction is completed, she said, the building will need to be made ready for art exhibits and visitors. She said officials still are discussing a grand opening date.

“Everything has to be calibrated,” she said.

On the fundraising side, Terman said MSU is taking a “comprehensive approach” to raise money for the museum, which will be funded using only private donations. He said the university will target alumni for donations, particularly those who have an interest for art.

“Our charge is full speed ahead for raising the rest of the dollars,” he said.