The Penn State Board of Trustees intends to seek $129.2 million from the state to fund major construction projects.
Penn State is requesting the capital funding for fiscal year 2015-16 primarily for major building renewal and maintenance projects. The board of trustees approved the request at its public meeting Friday in the Penn Stater Conference Center.
Some of projects included in the 2015-16 capital budget are:
– Renewal of Hosler Building, which was built in 1950. The project will include replacing aging electrical, heating and air conditioning systems and windows, addressing accessibility issues and modifying the interior spaces to make them better suited to research and other activities in the building, which houses the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering. The University is requesting $42 million.
– Improvements to the Vairo Library at Brandywine campus. The University is requesting $12 million to support making this library more accessible and replace outdated mechanical, electrical, plumbing and exterior building systems.
– Expansion and improvements to the Health and Human Development East Building to meet the needs of the College of Nursing. This project includes expanding the building, major renovation to interior spaces to provide modern classrooms, laboratories, offices and meeting and student support spaces. In addition, upgrades will be made to the entryways, flooring and lighting. The University is requesting $25 million.
– Construction of a new classroom and laboratory building at Penn State Abington. This project will provide much-needed space to support growing enrollment. The University is requesting $30 million for the facility, which will include classrooms, laboratories, offices and support spaces.
Although projects may be listed in the capital plan, their inclusion does not guarantee board approval, nor does it guarantee funding from the state. Following approval by the board, the request is submitted for further consideration by the General Assembly.
“These facilities are in need of significant renovations and upgrades. In some cases, the buildings’ conditions hamper the research and work being done by faculty and students,” says David Gray, senior vice president for Finance and Business. “In many instances, the work that needs to be done involves bringing the aging infrastructure up to date. That not only improves the facilities for the people who use them, but makes them operate more efficiently and brings them in line with contemporary standards for building construction and accessibility.”
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