Bethel Seeks City Approval for Building Project

In a five-phased project over the next five years, Bethel University plans to build an addition to the Academic Center and renovate science academic space inside the Academic Center as well. However, the first step is seeking city approval.

On April 3, Bethel University administrators presented plans to the City of Arden Hills Planning Commission and received approval. The next step is to go before the Arden Hills City Council on April 22 to get the final city approval for the project.

With city approval, the project will begin in May. The first phases involve renovating the north half of the second level of the Academic Center to expand Bethel’s engineering programs. In addition, work will begin to prepare the ground for a 20,000-square-foot addition between the Academic Center and Brushaber Commons, facing Lake Valentine. The current space holds a small parking area for cars and bicycles. Construction on the addition is proposed to take place between summer 2019 and summer 2020.

Additional phases in the project involve 30,000 square feet of renovations in the Academic Center for Bethel’s science programs. The proposed schedule has the entire project completed in 2023.

Funding for the building addition and renovations will come from donations, making the final project schedule dependent on fundraising.

Invest in the sciences at Bethel.

Interested in learning more about this project and how your donation might help? Contact Bethel’s Office of Development to find out ways to give.