University Times

Pitt's capital budget for the fiscal year that be- gins July 1 includes $80.4 million in construction, renovations, upgrades and preservation projects in Oakland and at the University's regional campuses.

Major projects in the plan, which Pitt's Board of Trustees was expected to approve at a meeting this morning, June 28, include:

* $9.5 million in renovations and additions to Bradford campus student activities facilities. The project will be funded by Pitt educational and general funds ($4.3 million), auxiliary debt ($2.7 million), auxiliary reserves ($500,000) and gifts ($2 million).

* $6.1 million to complete renovation of a 45,000-square-foot building on the South Side LTV site, which will house the McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development and other School of Medicine research programs. The $6.1 million will be debt financed by Pitt Health Sciences.

* A $6 million, state-funded upgrade of the Chevron Science Center ventilation system.

* $5.9 million for dozens of University-funded Pittsburgh campus preservation projects, ranging in price from a $770,000 upgrade of Benedum Hall elevators to $15,000 for design of a new generator for the Frick Fine Arts Building.

* A $5.7 million, state-funded renovation of the Johnstown campus library.

Of the $80.4 million capital budget, $39.5 million is for Health Sciences projects (including $12.4 million in the medical school).

The state government will provide $22.7 million of the $80.4 million total. Gifts will fund another $6.5 million.

— Bruce Steele