Wauwatosa Blood Lab Benefits from Statewide Building Project Grants

MADISON, Wis. (WAUK) — Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that the Wisconsin State Building Commission has approved a total of $48.3 million for various construction projects across the state.

The largest allocation from the commission provides for the construction of a 79,000-square-foot addition to the Versiti Blood Research Institute facility on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Campus in Wauwatosa. The $33 million expansion, spelled out in the 2023 Wisconsin Act 19, aims to enhance research capabilities in blood cancers, hematology, cellular therapy and immunology to pioneer more effective cancer treatments.

The grants also include $13.8 million to cover 19 facility maintenance and repair projects for multiple state agencies, including upgrades to heating, cooling, telephone and security systems for Department of Health Services facilities. Funds also go toward heating and cooling replacements, roof work, bridge repairs, fish hatchery improvements and building envelope replacements at DNR sites.

Other allocations cover a roof replacement for the Department of Public Instruction, food service upgrades for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and utility system replacements, bike path improvements and event space upgrades across the University of Wisconsin System.

“Each of these projects are critically important to ensure Wisconsinites have the quality care, services and resources they deserve from their state government,” Evers said in a statement