News

UW asks for $450 million for new construction projects

Plans include utility improvement, library storage and research

In an effort to improve everything from agricultural research to library storage, the University of Wisconsin is requesting authority from the state to use $450 million on various campus construction projects.

Around $150 million of the proposal will come directly from the state funds, according to Alan Fish, associated vice chancellor of Academic Staff.

The proposal was developed by the UW Campus Planning Committee, a group that submits campus improvement recommendations to the UW chancellor every other year.

After the chancellor approves the recommendation, the proposal will be sent to the UW System and the Board of Regents. The regents will then present the final recommendations to the state, where they are evaluated by the governor.

According to Fish, there are four major projects that would require state funding, including a utility improvement project, improvements in agricultural research, a library storage facility and additions to the Wisconsin Institution for Medical Research.

The utility improvement project would cost $78 million and provide air conditioning to buildings on the west side of campus.

Cattle research improvements would cost $3 million to upgrade the university’s current dairy research.

“This is going to improve the dairy barn we have on campus so it better matches the actual conditions the farmers in Wisconsin have so that when we do research, it’s immediately applicable to dairy farmers,” Fish said.

The $9.4 million remote library storage proposal would move rarely used library materials to a separate storage to open up valuable library space for more student activities.

To improve medical research, the university is seeking $66 million from the state to be combined with $66 million raised through private donations to build the second tower of the Wisconsin Institution for Medical Research.

Despite the state’s record budget deficit, Fish is optimistic about receiving funding for the projects.

“This is a tight year for a lot of projects,” Fish said. “The numbers are consistent with the amount the state has spent on the past two or three budgets.”

According to Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, the projects will likely receive Republican support only if they are necessary and create jobs to help stimulate the economy.

“If the UW System is putting together a wish list, I don’t think it will get very far,” Suder said.

Senate President Fred Risser, D-Madison, thinks the funding would be a wise investment for the state.

“I think the $150 million the state puts in would generate two to three times that amount of money and would certainly fall into the plans of trying to help rejuvenate the economy,” Risser said.

If approved, the funds would be included in Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget, set to be introduced in the coming weeks.

The $300 million worth of projects not funded by the state — including a new dorm, an ice rink for the women’s hockey team and the redevelopment of Gordon’s Commons — would be funded by gifts and program revenues, according to Fish.

A report on the projects will also be presented at the Faculty Senate meeting today.