UW–Madison, the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the University of Wisconsin System are moving ahead with urgent repairs to Van Hise Hall following an incident April 4 in which a precast concrete railing slab fell from the third floor plaza of the building, landing in front of the Linden Street entrance.
This week, a contracted structural engineer conducted a thorough review of the building’s facade and has recommended the removal of additional precast concrete slabs on the third and fourth floors of the building and the installation of railings in several areas.
On April 8, Gov. Tony Evers authorized emergency work on Van Hise to proceed to protect public health, welfare, and safety. Following the engineer’s recommendation, Van Hise will be closed effective close of business today, and unoccupied during this remediation project. Building tenants (the UW System administration and departments within the College of Letters & Science) will be temporarily relocated. There are no classes in the building this semester; most employees are working remotely.
