Capital Construction update

(12-05-2008)

Demolition scheduled

Demolition of the former Public Safety and KASF buildings and the four-plex apartments on First and Richardson will begin Wednesday, Dec. 10. Plans call for completion by Dec. 19. Any questions may be directed to Facilities Services, ext. 7951.

Campus Renewal & Planning Committee

The new committee on "Campus Renewal and Planning" was formed to oversee capital construction projects. The committee includes representatives of the following: COO, CFO, Assoc. VP of Facilities, computing services, athletics, Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Auxiliary Services, ASG, Academic Council, Faculty Senate and an additional student.

Recent developments in the financial world have put planning a few months behind. The campus has selected a team of bond counselors and underwriters and anticipates going to market in January. The market will dictate to a certain degree the amount to finance at this time, which in turn dictates the planning and construction priorities on campus.

The committee recently selected Davis Partnership as the head of the design team for the auxiliary/housing project. It is anticipated that the project will spend $17 million from the new capital fee, with additional funds to come from refinancing of old bonds. The anticipated $22 million will be used for a new multi-use residence hall at Rex Stadium, renovations of existing housing, and site work associated with an overall north campus master planning effort.

Davis Partnership has begun the process of assessing the existing facilities by examining plans and inspecting the buildings. They will survey the students and conduct on-site meetings called "Charettes" to determine needs and wants of the campus constituency related to student life. The group hopes to define a clear direction of goals by mid-January. This will coincide with the selection of a contractor to assist in the design and eventual construction of the improvements.

Depending on the outcome of the financing, the ES building will undergo major renovation. It is anticipated that the design would commence in March. The Music Program will likely begin to develop a strategy next fall to determine the level of renovations that will take place. Another $17 million is anticipated for these two projects, along with a small portion dedicated to Richardson Hall and the Nursing Program.