Wayne State University will be rolling out the welcome wagon in August, in the form of the $18.5 million Welcome Center in Detroit. The building will provide visitors and prospective students with a gateway destination when they visit the sprawling campus.

The center is set to open in August, and will offer a central location for students and prospective students to access information about the admissions and registration process, financial aid, and other areas of interest.

The building trades and the contracting team of Walbridge-Jenkins have been working on the project since last fall. The Welcome Center, and an adjacent 705-space parking deck and a $6 million bookstore complex that's also under construction are located on Warren between Woodward and Cass.

"Our new Welcome Center will literally provide a single location where our students can park nearby, walk a short distance, and meet staff from all areas of our student services operation, from applications to admissions to the registrar," said Charles L. Brown, vice president, student development and campus life. He said he views the Welcome Center concept as "one-stop shopping" for Wayne State's student body.

The Welcome Center consists of 70,000 square feet on four levels. It will accommodate administrative and student services offices and a 108-seat auditorium. Interactive computers will also be available as an additional amenity. Outside will be a landscaped plaza with trees and park benches.

Walbridge-Aldinger Project Supt. Greg Svabik said about 60 workers are currently on the project. "We're under a real tight schedule, with less than a year to complete the building," he said. "But we're about a third complete, and we're moving along well." 

MOPPING HOT TAR the roof of the Wayne State University Welcome Center are Charles Phillips and Rick Horon of Roofers Local 149 and Schreiber Roofing.