Capital Budget

As the second largest campus in Universities of Wisconsin system, UWM relies heavily on state funding to advance campus capital projects. The Campus Planning team works closely with campus leadership in Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Finance & Administrative Affairs to prioritize UWM’s most pressing academic and research space needs and to plan for and implement projects. Prioritized projects are submitted in the state’s biennial capital budget process for review, approval, and advancement.

Upon project enumeration, Campus Planning works in partnership with the Universities of Wisconsin (UoWs) and the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration/ Department of Facilities Development (DOA-DFD) to implement new construction, renovation, demolition, and planning projects. Campus Planning project managers serve as UWM Agency Representatives on construction-related projects, providing oversight of design and construction, to ensure that projects meet campus needs and expectations.

We also partner with campus Government Relations, Marketing & Communications, and Advancement to advocate for UWM’s top project priorities. This includes strategy development, production of supporting graphics and data, providing tours to visiting legislators and community leaders, and regular meetings with neighborhood organizations.

25-27 Capital Awards

In July of 2025, the State of Wisconsin announced capital budget awards for the 25-27 biennium. UWM received several enumerations including the following projects:

  • Health Sciences Renovation Construction ($189.325 M)
  • Physics Instructional Lab Relocation ($7.4M)
  • Lapham Hall Exterior Envelope Repairs & Roof Replacement ($9.866M)
  • Lapham Hall Lecture Hall 160 Renovation ($3.586M)
  • Campus Building Automation System Repair ($7.4M)
  • Maryland Avenue Bridge Renovation ($7.366M)
  • Engineering & Neuroscience Project Design ($6.9M)
  • Sandburg East Tower Interior Renovation Design ($800k)

2025-2027 State of Wisconsin Capital Budget Agency Requests and Governor’s Recommendations

27-29 Capital Requests

In January of 2026, UWM delivered a six-year capital plan (2027-2031) to the Universities of Wisconsin. Our 27-29 Major Project requests include: