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Construction on Michigan Stadium, shown late last year, is nearly complete.
File photo
For nearly three years, Michigan Stadium has been a work in progress.
On Wednesday, the east side of the Big House will be open to the public, giving fans their first look at the nearly-finished product following a $226 million renovation.
The stadium will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday and admission is free.
"The Michigan Stadium renovation is something our entire athletic department is proud of,” Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement issued Thursday. “I want to invite the public to see what was envisioned and how it all came together.
"It is spectacular.”
The east side structure will be open to the public, and the only accessible entry point will be on the south side of the stadium through Gate 2. Once inside, fans will proceed to the steps or elevators in the southeast tower to gain access to the structure. There will be no access to the east side upper concourse, east side lower concourse or west side structure. Free parking will be available at Pioneer High School.
Construction on the renovation is expected to completed next month. Stadium improvements include wider seats and aisles wider seats with handrails on the east side, allowing for better traffic flow in the aisles.
There are also elevated concourses with additional restrooms and concessions on both sidelines. There are buildings at both the north and south ends of the stadium which house additional restrooms, concessions and public safety services, as well as a new press box on the west side, and four towers (one at each corner of the stadium) with elevators and wide stairways for access to the new concourses and premium seating areas.
In addition, there is added seating on both the east and west side of the stadium. The west side will feature 650-plus chairback seats and 46 suites split across the first two levels. On the east side, there will be around 1,900 outdoor club seats, 250 indoor club seats and 850 covered club seats, with stadium lounges on the first and second level of the structure. There will also be 36 suites on the third level.
With the added seats, Michigan Stadium will become the largest college football venue in the country again.
The Wolverines open the season Sept. 4 against Connecticut. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will include the official rededication of the stadium. Tickets for the game are being sold as part of a 3-pack of games that went on sale last week.
Michigan ticket manager Marty Bodnar said while the opener traditionally draws well, the stadium's completed renovations increase the interest in the game against the Huskies.
"That's a historic moment in the history of the stadium," Bodnar said. "So I think there's even more interest in the opening game this year because it's the rededication, the renovation project has been finalized and we're celebrating a historic moment."
Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by email at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.
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