Crews move MSU’s Magic Johnson statue

East Lansing — Construction crews at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center have moved a statue of Earvin “Magic” Johnson as part of an ongoing $50 million renovation project.

The statue of the former basketball star was lifted by crane Wednesday from its current location near the ticket office at the East Lansing arena to a temporary area about 100 feet east.

Jason Van Zee, a construction project manager, tells the Lansing State Journal the statue will sit about 150 feet south of its former home when the project is completed.

The statue is being moved to make way for the new Hall of History, a 26,000 square foot addition to Breslin Center commemorating the school’s college basketball legacy. Breslin Center is open during renovations, which are expected to finish by June 2018.