MEQUON, Wis. - After more than a year's worth of anticipation, Concordia University Wisconsin officials will be unveiling the completed Phase I of their $8 million bluff project during a public dedication on Saturday, September 30, at 11:30 a.m.

Following the dedication a free picnic lunch will be served. The public is also invited to stay for Concordia's home football game against MacMurray College at 1 p.m. and home soccer game against Benedictine College also at 1 p.m.

Since last June, Phase I of the bluff stabilization project has moved over 400,000 cubic yards of material to restore Concordia's beautiful 1/2 mile of Lake Michigan shoreline. Revetments were also created to help protect the beach from future erosion and to form an artificial reef for marine species. There is now ADA approved access to the beach; a bike/walking path to the beach; a gathering area for 400 people and concerts at the top of the new bluff; a mix of prairie grass and wild flowers on the bluff slope; perched wetlands fed by ground water; coastal wetlands fed by lake water; and improved water quality due to greatly reduced erosion.

Phase II of the project, which is still in need of $4 million in funding, will include the building of a new Environmental Education Center. It will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, lecture halls and classrooms to serve CUW and area students. It will also include relocating and updating the athletic fields.