MnSCU Trustees Request $403.6 Million for Building and Remodeling Projects
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will seek authorization for $403.6 million in funding next year for construction and remodeling projects across the state. The Board of Trustees Thursday approved a list of 31 projects that will be submitted for funding.
The request to the Legislature is for $305.8 million in state general obligation bond financing with $97.8 million in debt service financed by the system and its institutions, bringing the total project authorization to $403.6 million.
The top priority is $110 million in repair and replacement projects for roofs and mechanical and electrical systems, as well as health and safety improvements, on nearly all 54 campuses.
“Repair and replacement projects are the No. 1 priority because we must make sure the system’s 855 buildings are, first and foremost, in good repair,” said Chancellor James H. McCormick. “These projects also give us the opportunity to reduce energy by using energy-efficient materials and devices, as well as sustain these important state buildings into the future.” Overall, the system is responsible for nearly one-third of state-owned building space.
Funds also are being sought for 30 other capital improvement projects, which largely would add, replace or remodel classrooms, science labs and applied technology labs.
Laura King, the system’s vice chancellor and chief financial officer, said, “We will be able to better serve the growing number of students on our campuses if we can make these renovations and improvements.” Enrollment of students taking credit courses has increased by 10,572 students between 2002 and 2008, and is projected to continue increasing.
Board Chair David Olson said, “These projects correspond directly to the board’s strategic plan that calls for increasing access and opportunity, strengthening regional and state economic vitality, delivering high-quality learning options and services, and promoting innovation.
“We are optimistic that the governor and Legislature will recognize that upgrading our existing facilities, particularly for science and technology programs, will help us produce more graduates that the state’s employers need to remain globally competitive,” Olson said.
Legislators are expected to visit campuses around the state this summer and fall to become familiar with the capital requests.
The 31 projects were winnowed from more than $700 million in requests submitted by the system’s institutions. In January, teams of representatives from the campuses and system office scrutinized and scored the proposals.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities System 2010 Capital Budget Request
Rank, Institution, Project Description, $Millions
1 All Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Repair & replacement $110.0
2 North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park Business & Technology addition and renovation $15.0
3 Seven campuses Classroom renovations & demolition $4.4
4 Lake Superior College, Duluth Health Science Center addition $12.4
5 Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Classroom Center addition $5.9
6 Northeast Higher Education District – Shop space addition & renovation $5.7
Mesabi Range Community & Technical College, Eveleth
7 Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount Property acquisition $3.5
8 Alexandria Technical College Renovation of former law enforcement center space $4.4
9 Minnesota State Community & Technical College Library & classroom addition $5.5
Moorhead
10 Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids Classroom building renovation $5.0
11 Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Park Learning Resource Center renovation $10.6
& Student Service Center
12 Minneapolis Community & Technical College Workforce program renovation $13.1
13 Ridgewater Community College, Willmar Technical instruction lab construction $14.5
& renovation
14 Minnesota West Community & Technical College Fieldhouse renovation & addition $4.7
Worthington
15 South Central College, Faribault Classroom renovation & addition $13.5
16 Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids Bioscience & Allied Health addition $16.5
17 North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park Bioscience & Health Careers Center addition $27.0
18 Minnesota State University Moorhead Livingston Lord Library renovation $15.4
19 Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall Science lab renovation $5.9
20 St. Cloud State University New Integrated Science & $44.8
Engineering Laboratory Facility
21 Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount Transportation & emerging technologies $7.3
lab renovation
22 St. Cloud Technical College Allied Health Center renovation $5.6
23 Rochester Community & Technical College Workforce Center co-location $3.3
24 Nine campuses Renovations for science, technology, $5.5
engineering & math programs
25 Minnesota State University, Mankato Clinical Science Building design $2.0
26 Normandale Community College, Bloomington New Academic Partnership Center $23.3
& Student Services Building
27 Bemidji State University Business building addition design & demolition $3.2
28 Metropolitan State University, St. Paul Science Education Center design $3.6
& property acquisition
29 Rochester Community & Technical College Classroom renovation $1.0
30 Eight campuses Technical college library renovations $3.9
31 Bemidji State University and Property acquisition $7.3
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Total $403.6
User financing – $97.8
State financing $305.8