On Monday, Sept. 13, Oakland University’s board of trustees held a special board formal session in the auditorium of Elliot Hall to discuss a new grant to begin construction on an outreach program that could, upon completion, be home to new prospective students in Macomb County.

The grant, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is $1.6 million for neighborhood stabilization endeavors.

The efforts include creating and reinforcing a college culture, increasing the number of degree holders and providing a four-year college education for Mt. Clements and Macomb County. The efforts are projected toward low to mid-level income and displaced families.

The grant is being used to renovate the Oakland University Anton/Frankel Center into an outreach program location. Renovations to the 26,000 square foot building include switching the current business suites inside the building to classrooms, fire suppression, first and second floor remodeling and the addition of technology to the Center.

Also brought before the board was a request of approval to enter contracts with Hamilton Anderson, an architectural and engineering firm, and Barton Mallow, construction manager. The contracts must be signed by Friday, Sept. 17.

The estimated cost of the remodeling is $2.87 million. Oakland University plans to match $504,000 to finish the project from the Strategic Plan Fund.

John Beaghan, vice president for Finance and Administration, said the amount is already in the account and is less than 1 percent of the total funds.

Beaghan said they plan to match the funds because they have been offered a free building and approximately 80 percent of renovations will be completed by “free money,” or the grants awarded to the University. He said there would be no repaying of the grants from the board.

Mary Otto, vice president of outreach, said the programs in Macomb County would be along “Gratiot corridor,” accessible by public transportation and close to public schools. She said the program will bring in students and teachers from the “high-need area” and will educate about curriculum and financial aid available at OU.

Otto mentioned Oakland’s efforts to do this other parts of the county and said the presence of the building will allow students to see Oakland as an option to them. She said the location is important to make OU available to students who are incapable of traveling to the main campus.

The majority of the board supported the efforts and expressed excitement for the project.

“It’s a green concept; why build when a building is already there,” said trustee Richard Flynn. “Not everyone is capable of getting an outreach program to bring in students. I think we lucked out by having this opportunity fall in our lap.”

Although there are no lots owned by OU, there will be municipal parking for the outreach building. 500 parking spaces are available for students and faculty. Funds from paid parking will go to the city.

The Board approved both tabs for the acceptance of the grant and approval of contracts with Hamilton Anderson and Barton Mallow.

The Monday session was the first formal meeting for trustee Robinson; he will serve an eight year term with the BOT. New student liaisons Marta Bauer and Emily Tissot were both present at the meeting as well.

The next BOT meeting is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. in Elliot Hall auditorium.