Spring Break
Construction projects under budget in light of recession
Madeline Novey
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: News
Amid the struggling global economy, Facilities Management employees said several of the capital construction projects, totaling almost $400 million, were completed for less-than-estimated costs and were equipped with additional and upgraded amenities using leftover funds.
Out of the 17 total capital construction projects several are estimated to come in under budget and construction officials attributed the savings to cuts in contractors' and suppliers' costs as a result of the recession.
"We are getting a lot more building for our money than we thought we would," said Brian Chase, director of Facilities Management, of the Academic Instruction building, Lake Street Parking Garage, Rockwell Hall at the College of Business, Computer Science building and the North addition to the Recreation Center.
"We are taking advantage of a very good construction state right now."
Chase said costs for the Academic Instruction building - a four-story 90,000 square-foot instruction building that will house three classrooms, four seminar rooms and a 400-seat state-of-the-art lecture hall - came in "almost $2 million under" the estimated $45 million total planned cost.
With surplus dollars, Facilities Management upgraded the audio systems and the quality of finishes used throughout the building. Because the money for the project is funded entirely by student fees, as approved by the Student Fee Review Board in 2007, Chase said a portion of the $2 million will be used to adorn the building with student artwork.
In the Computer Science building, located to the East of the Lory Student Center, additional study space was incorporated into the 24-hours access, keyless entry facility with the thousands saved in supply costs.
Leftover money on the Student Recreation Center Expansion/Renovation - a project started in May 2008 that will provide for the addition of 60,000 square feet of new construction and the renovation of 81,000 square feet of the facility - was used to increase the amount of workout space and equipment provided.
Out of the 17 total capital construction projects several are estimated to come in under budget and construction officials attributed the savings to cuts in contractors' and suppliers' costs as a result of the recession.
"We are getting a lot more building for our money than we thought we would," said Brian Chase, director of Facilities Management, of the Academic Instruction building, Lake Street Parking Garage, Rockwell Hall at the College of Business, Computer Science building and the North addition to the Recreation Center.
"We are taking advantage of a very good construction state right now."
Chase said costs for the Academic Instruction building - a four-story 90,000 square-foot instruction building that will house three classrooms, four seminar rooms and a 400-seat state-of-the-art lecture hall - came in "almost $2 million under" the estimated $45 million total planned cost.
With surplus dollars, Facilities Management upgraded the audio systems and the quality of finishes used throughout the building. Because the money for the project is funded entirely by student fees, as approved by the Student Fee Review Board in 2007, Chase said a portion of the $2 million will be used to adorn the building with student artwork.
In the Computer Science building, located to the East of the Lory Student Center, additional study space was incorporated into the 24-hours access, keyless entry facility with the thousands saved in supply costs.
Leftover money on the Student Recreation Center Expansion/Renovation - a project started in May 2008 that will provide for the addition of 60,000 square feet of new construction and the renovation of 81,000 square feet of the facility - was used to increase the amount of workout space and equipment provided.
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