PULLMAN The WSU Board of Regents approved building projects on the Pullman, Vancouver and Spokane campuses during its regular meeting at WSU Vancouver Friday, Feb. 1.
The regents began the process of selecting a design-build team for Phase III of the Martin Stadium renovation. That phase of the project is budgeted at $42 million; construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2009. It will add upper level premium seating to the north side of the stadium, and will include luxury suites, loge boxes and club seats. It will be funded through revenue bonds and donations.
The regents also took the latest steps in an ongoing effort to improve residence halls on campus. The regents authorized the administration to select a general contractor/construction manager for a proposed $23.5 million student housing project to be built on Olympia Avenue on the Pullman campus. The two-phase project would provide 350 beds. The goal is to break ground on the project this spring and complete it in summer 2009.
Business Affairs officials said they plan to have the financial details of the proposal to bring back to the regents for approval at the board’s March meeting.
The regents also approved a $3.5 million plan to refurbish interiors of the south and east towers of Stevenson Complex residence halls this summer to be ready for the beginning of fall classes. Both projects are part of a long-range effort to improve student housing on the Pullman campus. The goal is not to dramatically increase the number of residence hall beds on campus, but to provide more attractive housing options for students.
Other building and infrastructure projects approved by the regents include:
* Connecting WSU to the National LambdaRail high-speed fiber network, which links researchers nationwide. The cost of the project is $5 million.
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Infrastructure improvements, including parking lots, irrigation and
signage upgrades, costing $2.785 million for the Vancouver campus.
Infrastructure improvements, including parking lots, irrigation and
signage upgrades, costing $2.785 million for the Vancouver campus.
* Schematic design for the third phase of the renovation of the Washington Building, the former site of Pullman Memorial Hospital, to relocate the Disability Resource Center in one part of the building.
* Schematic design for a $1.5 million project to renovate an existing
building and build a veterinary clinic to be located on the WSU Spokane campus. The clinic will focus on specialized areas, including ophthalmology, dermatology and oncology; it is scheduled to be completed in the winter of 2009.
building and build a veterinary clinic to be located on the WSU Spokane campus. The clinic will focus on specialized areas, including ophthalmology, dermatology and oncology; it is scheduled to be completed in the winter of 2009.
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A $1.4 million consolidated storage building on the Pullman campus.
A $1.4 million consolidated storage building on the Pullman campus.
* Establishing a new arboretum on the Pullman campus on about 95 acres adjacent to Airport Road. In other business, the regents approved an amendment to clarify portions of the student conduct code, especially the provisions under which the conduct board can suspend a student for repeated violations.
* The regents also approved new Pullman campus housing and dining rates for the 2008-2009 academic year. The proposed rates show an increase of 8.8 percent, which reflect both increased costs of goods and services and the costs of the ongoing residence hall upgrades. The increase only affects new residents; continuing residents pay the same rate from their first year.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for March 21 on the Tri-Cities campus.
