University Times

Pitt trustees have approved funding for an apartment complex for 204 students and design work for the planned convocation center, along with 10 other capital projects at the Pittsburgh, Bradford and Greensburg campuses.

The board's property and facilities committee unanimously approved the $26.8 million worth of projects May 6.

The projects still require varying levels of approval from city officials, ranging from occupancy permits to zoning approvals. But University administrators said they don't expect opposition because most of the projects involve renovating existing Pitt facilities or building within central campus areas.

Regarding construction of the $5.3 million, 51-unit complex of garden-style apartments in Oakland, Chancellor Mark Norden-berg said: "Since the construction of residence halls of this type has been such a high priority for everyone in the community as well as within the University, it's hard to believe that there will be much resistance to moving forward on that project." The student housing, set to open in September 1999, will be built on Pitt-owned property bounded by Bouquet and Sennott streets and Oakland Avenue. Pitt plans eventually to expand its facilities on that site to house as many as 800 students.

The property and facilities committee also gave the green light to student housing projects at two regional campuses: renovation of the Townhouse Apartments at Bradford, and construction of garden-style apartments to house 98 students at Greensburg.

Trustees also approved spending up to $1.4 million for design work on the planned convocation and events center adjacent to Pitt Stadium. According to University officials' latest estimates, the total project will be bigger and costlier than previously thought: $60 million (rather than $52 million, as previously estimated), with 12,000 to 14,000 seats (earlier plans called for no more than 12,500 seats). The state has committed $38 million for the center.

"We fully expected the cost estimates of the convocation center to change given the passage of time," Nordenberg told reporters. "The $60 million figure is, again, just a rough estimate. The state has just selected new architects for that project [Pittsburgh-based Apostolou Associates and Rosser International of Atlanta] and their work will help in coming up with a firmer cost projection." Pitt officials hope to open the center in time for the year 2000-2001 basketball season.

Nordenberg said of the $26.8 million capital projects package: "What is noteworthy is that we are moving forward on so many fronts. So the institution as a whole is moving forward."

— Bruce Steele