The Oregon State Board of Higher Education’s Finance and Administration Committee approved the University’s request to further fund the expansion of Allen Hall at the board’s monthly meeting last Friday, authorizing the use of an additional $5.3 million for the School of Journalism and Communication upgrade.
Three years ago, the University began drafting plans for the expansion with architectural companies Yost Grube Hall and TBG Partners, and has scheduled June 15 as the official start date of construction. The building will be off-limits until it reopens in early 2013, and SOJC Dean Tim Gleason has announced that classrooms, faculty offices and the John L. Hulteng Student Services Center — along with most editing, photo and design labs — will be moved to Agate Hall starting summer term. The renovation will include a 14,275 square-foot, three-level addition at the 88-year-old building’s southeast corner, providing more classrooms and offices, a large lecture hall and a gathering place for students and faculty, along with design studio and gallery space.
Originally, the finance committee authorized a $15 million expenditure limitation for the project, half from state-issued bonds and half from gifted money. However, initial plans have been amended to include a 3,560 square-foot basement below the addition, which will house a server room for campus-wide use. New blueprints also call for the upgrade of HVAC systems, the replacement of single-pane windows for energy efficiency, the gradation of exterior site work, improved audio/visual infrastructure and new furniture. To pay for the additional work, the University asked for the committee’s permission to use an additional $5.3 million — a request that was approved last Friday.
The granted request has increased the project’s new funding limitation from $15 million to $20.3 million.
At the meeting, the board also accepted the University’s request to expend an additional $10 million in on the Lewis Integrative Science Building project for the Huestis Zebrafish Facility, consisting of $9.1 million in grant funds and $883,000 in gifts.
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