Following a series of meetings in June and July, officials from the Department of Administration, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, UW System, UW–Madison and representatives from the dairy industry are expecting results from a third-party review of the Babcock Hall/Center for Dairy Research construction project and equipment installation by the end of August. Hill International, a company specializing in managing construction risk, is conducting the review, which is focused on defining the remaining scope and cost of the project. This information will be crucial to determining a final project schedule.

While the review is under way, construction continues at the site. The foundation for the new CDR addition is more than half complete. Beginning September 23, the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant will close so the current ice builder can be decommissioned and a new one brought online. The dairy plant will remain closed for the duration of construction. CDR research that relies on dairy plant equipment is expected to resume on October 7, when that equipment can once again be used. Demolition of the existing ice builder is expected to be finished by October 18. Following that demolition, the remaining footings and foundation work for the CDR addition can be completed.

The Babcock Hall Dairy Store will remain open during construction. Most products will continue to be sold. Outside contractors, selected through the state bid process, will manufacture Babcock ice cream and cheese using the original recipes during the plant closure.

More information will be shared following the Hill International report in September.