Project Timeline
April 24, 2015
On April 24, 2015, the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics held a dedication ceremony for the Akerman Hangar, renaming it the Gary J. Balas Atrium.
September 13th, 2010
The Akerman Hangar Renovation construction was completed on September 13th. The remaining work on the building is the final upgrade to the HVAC system. This is the last of the changes that will complete the building’s upgrades. This work will continue through the spring semester.
Summer 2010
Of the $675,000 that AEM is responsible for fundraising, ATK
Advanced Weapons has generously donated $75,000 to the renovation of the
Akerman Hall Hangar. ATK is based in Plymouth, Mn, and is an aerospace and
defense applications organization that hires many AEM and UMN graduates.
John Weyrauch, Vice President of Engineering at ATK and member of the AEM Professional Advisory Board, sees funding the new facility as one of the important ways his organization supports the department and the students who someday may be a part of their organization.
May 3rd , 2010
On Friday, April 30th, Prof. Gary Balas invited AEM alumni to campus for a first glimpse at the hangar renovation project. The group was provided an overview of the department and a look into the history of the Hangar. BWBR architects then gave the group a look at the plans for the project followed by a guided tour of the facility.
April 8th, 2010
The work inside the hangar continues this week as the mechanical systems are removed, including steam and ventilation systems. The demolition crews have also removed the wall that separated the space that was the TA office (formerly the machine shop) from the rest of the hangar. The large undertaking of the week is that the removal of the original steel hangar door. More info.
March 31st, 2010
On Tuesday, March 30th, AEM faculty, students and staff were given their first look at the space since demolition and construction began. More info.
March 25th, 2010
After only two weeks the construction crew has made significant progress in removing the electric and mechanical systems in the building. Additionally, the walls and hallway that made up the lab space are nearly completely demolished. More info.
March 10th, 2010
Construction of Akerman Hall Hangar begins on March 11th. Demolition is the first item on the schedule. The temporary labs constructed in 1984 will be the first to come down as well as ...More info.
Last Modified: 2016-06-07 at 12:51:01 -- this is in International Standard Date and Time Notation