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September 2, 2010

Trustees OK $37.2 million in construction, renovations

Work has begun on the addition to the Bouquet Gardens student housing complex.

Work has begun on the addition to the Bouquet Gardens student housing complex.

The property and facilities committee of the University’s Board of Trustees approved seven construction and renovation projects totaling $37.2 million and one lease renewal at its Aug. 6 meeting.

The largest amount approved was $17.63 million for the expansion of the Bouquet Gardens student housing complex. The construction will add 155 beds in 48 units that are to be completed in time for fall 2011 occupancy.

The project will raise Pitt’s on-campus housing capacity to 7,396 beds.

Funding for the project is through auxiliary debt, according to project information presented to the committee.

The committee also approved:

• $5.8 million to upgrade and renovate the Concordia Club. The O’Hara Street building will become home to the School of Arts and Sciences math laboratory and writing center and the freshman studies program. The renovation also will provide Student Affairs with more office and meeting space. The project is scheduled for completion in the spring.

Funding for the renovation includes $4.3 million in education and general (E&G) debt and $1.5 million from provost reserves.

•  $4.85 million for renovations to the 5th floor of the Chevron Science Center to house wet labs for chemistry research. Funding for the project includes $4.15 million in School of Arts and Sciences reserves and $700,000 in provost reserves.

• $3.4 million for renovations to the Eberly Hall nanoscience laboratory to create new synthetic and spectroscopy laboratory suites and for renovations to the chemistry electronics shop. Funding for the project comes from School of Arts and Sciences reserves.

• $2.5 million for a backup electrical feed for Posvar Hall to improve reliability of service for the lower campus and the Posvar chilled water plant. Funding comes through E&G debt.

• $1.84 million for student lounge renovations on the ground floor of the Barco Law Building. The project will include tables, booths, a cyber bar, a soft seating area and a coffee bar in the lounge area, a student eating and vending area and the creation of offices for student organizations in the lower level locker area.

Funding for the lounge includes $1.5 million from provost reserves and $340,000 from gifts.

• $1.2 million for the fourth phase of a sprinkler installation project in the Cathedral of Learning. Installation will cover floors 2-6, 10 and 11. Funding for the installation comes from E&G debt.

The committee okayed a five-year lease renewal with Cityview Properties for space in the Parkvale Building on Meyran Avenue. The University’s Clinical Research Education Institute occupies the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building.

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic’s attention deficit disorder research program occupies the 4th floor and the Department of Psychiatry’s office of grants and contracts is on the 5th floor.

The lease renewal is for five years beginning Sept. 1, 2010, at a fixed annual cost of $797,472 ($27 per square foot) with a renewal option for an additional five years.

—Kimberly K. Barlow

Filed under: Feature,Volume 43 Issue 1

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