Dec. 4, 2007 issue
Pray-Harrold tops Capital Outlay Request; contract work on Mark Jefferson Science Complex to move forward

By Ron Podell

 

If one were to ask which building on campus has been waiting the longest for capital outlay dollars from the state, it wouldn't be much of a pop quiz.

For the ninth consecutive year, the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved a fiscal year 2009 capital outlay budget request for the modernization of Pray-Harrold, the University's largest classroom building.

The Regents approved the budget request at their Nov. 27 meeting.

TOP OF THE LIST: For the ninth consecutive year, Pray-Harrold tops Eastern Michigan University's Capital Outlay budget list. The cost to renovate the largest classroom building on campus is $57 million.

The estimated cost to renovate Pray-Harrold is $57 million. The University's cost share is $14.25 million. The University's share will be funded from money already collected and to be collected by the 4-percent tuition fee increase that began in fall 2005 from the action taken by the Board to identify funding for outstanding facility needs.

However, some Regents stressed the need for a "Plan B" if EMU does not receive the full amount it needs from the state to complete the Pray-Harrold renovation. The renovation project has been at the top of EMU's capital outlay request since 1999, but EMU has not had a capital project funded by the state since 1996. The Pray-Harrold renovation made Jennifer Granholm's capital outlay project list last year, but funding remained in limbo when the state's budget woes mounted.

"To do Pray-Harrold the way we want to do it would cost around $57 million," said Regent Phil Incarnati. "If we don't get the capital outlay (dollars), then it's a question of 'what can we do for $20 million on the Pray-Harrold building?' We need a separate plan in case we don't get the capital outlay."

A hypothetical was raised in which some of the funds earmarked for the $100 million Mark Jefferson Science Complex project could possibly be reallocated to Pray-Harrold if the state does not provide the full amount needed for the Pray-Harrold renovations.

"If we can only spend $70 million (on Mark Jefferson), what can we get?" Regent Roy Wilbanks proffered. "If we have the full $100 million, what can we get?"

Regent Chair Thomas Sidlik stressed the Board's priority is that they want work on both buildings to move forward.

"Obviously, we want the state funding. That's a top priority," Sidlik said. "Faculty and students can't suffer much longer."

Pray-Harrold, at 237,108 square feet, was built in 1969 and continues to be EMU's largest classroom building, shuttling in an average of 10,00 students a day.

The renovation entails reconfiguration of the existing structure, which will include reconfiguration of the existing space to accommodate additional classroom and computer lab space; new technology, a new, dedicated electrical primary source; replacing and modifying the HVAC system; wiring for informational technology; replacement of architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems; and additional upgrades to comply with ADA standards. The project includes an additional 45,000 net square footage to provide students with much needed gathering space.

Janice Stroh, EMU's vice president for business and finance, said indications are that Granholm will have a capital outlay budget as early as January.

"Hopefully, this is the year it (funding) comes back," said Regent Fran Parker.

In other business, the Board:

• MOVING FORWARD: The EMU Board of Regents granted authority for the University sign agreements with separate firms for programming management and owner representation consulting services as well as for professional architectural and engineering design services for the Mark Jefferson Science Complex.

  Granted authority to the executive vice president and/or vice president for business and finance to sign a contractual agreement with DMJM/AECOM of Detroit for programming management and owner representation consulting services for the Mark Jefferson Science Complex. The estimated cost for these services is $1.4 million. The expenses will be paid from the $100 million Mark Jefferson Science Complex project budget.

• Granted authority to the executive vice president and/or vice president for business and finance to sign a contractual agreement with Lord, Aeck and Sargent of Ann Arbor for professional architectural and engineering design services for the Mark Jefferson Science Complex. The estimated cost for these services is $4.5 million. These expenses also will be paid from the science complex budget.

The funding of the science complex will be provided primarily through the sale of bonds. Repayment of these bonds will be funded by the 4-percent tuition and fee increase that began in fiscal year 2006 to address the university's needs. The balance of the required funding will come from the 4-percent tuition and fee increase that has been collected since fiscal year 2006, but has not yet been spent.

• Received and placed on file the EMU Foundation's Annual Report. Total Foundation endowment assets reported were a little more than $50.6 million, which represents a 12.9 percent increase above last year's market value of $44.8 million.Contributions during 2006-2007 were a little more than $4.2 million, down from approximately $7.7 million in fiscal 2006. While that overall figure was down, Darryl Sczepanski, vice president for advancement and executive director of the EMU Foundation, said the overall number of donors and the total number of gifts actually increased.

Sczepanski described it as a "troubling year" for donations, pointing to the faculty strike last fall and the uncertainty about the leadership of the University as factors.

Regents stressed to Sczepanski that they are ready and willing to help with influencing donations.

"I really don't have a problem asking for money from anyone," said Regent Fran Parker. "We may have to adjust our approach and not just rely on the usual suspects."

• Approved the allocation of $60,000 per year for five years for the business incubator project that is part of the collaboration entitled the Eastern Washtenaw Leaders Group. The purpose of the group is to help stimulate economic development in eastern Washtenaw County.

Eastern Michigan and Washtenaw County government are serving as leaders for the group. Other collaborators include Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor SPARK, Ypsilanti Chamber of Commerce, local government staff, county commissioners and elected officials from the City of Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti, Superior and Pittsfield townships. —  Pamela Young contributed to this report.