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Board of Trustees committee reviews Phase II bonding request

On Wednesday, March 7, President Schwichtenberg, Jan Mahoney, VP of Finance and Operations, Tom Doody, Director of Facilities, and Bill Armstrong, TKDA architectural firm presented a request for $13,500,000 to complete the renovation of the Ground Floor. Their presentation to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, Finance and Facilities Committee focused on the need to provide a modern, 21st century environment for the construction and transportation trades through the completion of Phase II of the Ground Floor renovation. The proposed project rectifies life safety issues, transforms the Ground Floor into an environment that more closely models industry, and creates more flexible classroom space. President Schwichtenberg reinforced the need for technology upgrades, flexible spaces, and an updated facility that will improve the ability to recruit students from the diverse audiences in St. Paul into high-demand trade and transportation fields in the future.

The Board of Trustees will rank this project request, and determine its priority and placement on the 2008 Capital Budget Request to the Minnesota Legislature. Vice President Mahoney felt the request was very well received by the board members, and anticipates it will receive a high placement on the 2008 bonding list.

Contributor: Jim Brown