At the University Board of Regents monthly meeting on Thursday, the regents reviewed and approved five construction projects involving a University residence hall, hospital, museum and science building. The projects total $60.66 million in renovations.
Approval of schematic design for Couzens Residence Hall
The Board of Regents approved renovations to the schematic design of Couzens Residence Hall, which will include updates and repairs to the building’s infrastructure.
Additions include new plumbing, heating, ventilation, fire detection and high-speed Internet access. Improvements will also be made to residents’ rooms and bathrooms.
The currently vacant dining room and kitchen will be turned into space designated for living-learning communities, classrooms and academic offices.
New energy conservation initiatives will be implemented by adding insulation to exterior walls, replacing windows and installing energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
Couzens Residence Hall opened in 1925 with 260 female students. Today, the dormitory houses 560 male and female students.
The renovation is estimated to cost $49 million and will be funded by University Housing and investment proceeds. Couzens will close and renovations will begin in spring 2010, and construction is scheduled to be completed in summer 2011.
University Hospital’s central sterile supply area expansion
The University Hospital will be expanded by approximately 16,000-square-feet. The renovation will add space for the central sterile supply area on level B2 and will accommodate the increasing amount of instrumentation that requires sterilization.
The estimated cost of the construction is $6.9 million. It will be funded by University Hospitals and Health Centers. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in winter 2012.
Alexander G. Ruthven Museums Building fire detection and alarm system installation
A fire detection and alarm system will be installed in the Alexander Ruthven Museums Building. The technology will meet current codes and standards.
The installation of the fire detection and alarm system will cost about $2.4 million and will be funded by investment proceeds. The project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2010.
Cancer Center infusion expansion
The Cancer Center’s infusion area will be expanded by approximately 1,000 square feet. The added space will accommodate patients receiving longer infusion treatments. The project will improve the center’s patient capacity by 13 percent.
The renovation is estimated to cost $1.16 million and will be funded by University Hospitals and Health Centers. Construction is scheduled to be completed in winter 2010.
Addition to the Clarence Cook Little Science Building
Approximately 7,300-square-feet will be added to the Clarence Cook Little Science Building to provide research space for new faculty in the Department of Geology. An existing laboratory suite will also be updated.
The renovation will cost about $1.2 million and will be funded by the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. The project is scheduled to be completed in spring 2010.