ANN ARBOR—The proposed expansion of Michigan Stadium, adding some 5,000 seats, was approved by the University of Michigan Board of Regents at its Nov. 20-21 meeting.

The last change in seating capacity of the stadium, constructed in 1927, occurred in 1992, increasing the capacity to its current level of 102,501, noted U-M Executive Vice President Chandler W. Matthews.

“It is common knowledge that the stadium has been typically filled beyond seating capacity for most games during the past 20 years. The current season’s subscription interest highlighted a crisis in the stadium’s capacity, forcing the Athletic Department to divide season passes among incoming freshman subscribers.

“Preliminary structural investigations indicate that additional rows of seats can be added to the perimeter on the west, north and south faces of the stadium by adding steel columns, as currently exist, and extending the existing seating rail system.”

Although the time is short for accommodating this work, Matthews said, “our preliminary investigations indicate that the seats could be available for the 1998 seasons. Construction will begin as soon as practical following the end of the 1997 season.”

The expansion project is estimated to cost $6 million, to be provided from Athletic Department sources.

The project will be designed by the University’s Facilities Planning and Design Department in consultation with Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates of Philadelphia and Structural Design Incorporation of Ann Arbor.

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