Monroe County Community College broke ground on a $22-25 million transformation of the college’s Welch Health Education Building into what is tentatively being called the Welch Center for Health and Public Safety to reflect the growing scope of the facility as a result of the planned renovation and expansion.
The event took place in front of the Welch Health Education Building, named for MCCC’s second president, Gerald Welch, where Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II was on hand to assist in the ceremonial turning of the soil.
In July, $10.9 million was approved in the State of Michigan’s budget and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for the state’s portion of the cost of the renovation and expansion of the facility. Construction on the project is expected to begin in Summer 2025 with projected completion in Summer 2027, said Jack Burns, director of campus planning and facilities.