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Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum dedication delayed until fall

Shortage of supply necessary to complete construction cited for delay

January 18, 2012

Update: 1:45 p.m.

Museum director Michael Rush cited the building’s design complexity as the fundamental factor for the delay and added that the glass and cement used for the building are “so unique” that if “one little thing” gets behind schedule, delays occur.

It was determined last week that officials could not get supply guarantees for the glass from manufacturers, which are necessary to complete construction, Rush said.

Although the building “could open in the summer,” he said, the fall date was chosen to wait for students to return to campus.

“I think we had an ambitious schedule that we were hoping for, so now I think we’re being more realistic for time,” Rush said. “It is a glitch, it’s a hiccup on our way, but ultimately, it’s going to be better for us.”

Funding for the museum is beyond $37 million and about $5 million is required to reach the project’s total cost of about $40 million to $45 million, Rush said, adding that the exact cost is within that range.

The grand opening and dedication of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum has been delayed until the fall semester, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The date originally had been slated for April 21 at the museum’s site on the north side of campus.

A “combination of material supply delays and the priority placed on involving students in opening activities” were cited as reasons for the delay. Construction costs are not expected to change the budget of the $40 million to $45 million project, according to the release

“The delay won’t impact the quality of the works we bring to the public,” museum director Michael Rush said in the release. “We’re looking forward to a world-class opening and exhibitions. In the meantime, several off-site projects and public programs will continue.”

Dan Bollman, MSU design administrator, said in the release that although construction has “progressed very well,” the building’s design complexity makes it not uncommon to have such delays.

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