UI Drawing Up Its Big Future Plans Are First Elements Of 5-Part, 6-Year University Center Plan
In a couple of weeks, a schematic design should be completed for a major facility on the University of Idaho campus: the Commons and the Teaching and Learning Center.
The facilities are two of five proposed construction and renovation projects known as the University Center planned over the next six years.
Future projects include a Student Recreation Center, Alumni and Enrollment Services Center at the current Student Union Building and creation of a new headquarters for the Prichard Art Gallery, now housed in downtown Moscow.
In January, the Board of Education approved the $16.5 million Commons project, authorizing a $45 per semester increase in student fees through 2002. Idaho has issued fee-supported tax-exempt bonds to finance the project, which will require $13 million in student fees.
The rest of the cost will come from commercial tenant vendor fees, institutional capital and operating funds, and private gifts and donations.
The university is seeking state funding for the $9.5 million Teaching and Learning Center, which will include a comprehensive renovation of the existing University Classroom Center.
Design development for the complex is expected to be completed in September and the project should go to bid about February or March of next year.
Construction is scheduled to start in one year and continue through the end of 1999.
The Teaching and Learning Center project will renovate the existing facilities starting in mid-2000 and continuing through 2001, depending on the availability of funds.
The Commons and the Teaching and Learning Center will form a 145,000-square-foot complex at the heart of campus, bringing together elements of student services, social activities and teaching needs now scattered over campus.
The school’s president, Bob Hoover, called the University Center “our connection to the future” at a recent groundbreaking ceremony.
“This is an opportunity to really revitalize the physical core of our campus,” he said.
xxxx MORE PLANS Future projects include a Student Recreation Center, Alumni and Enrollment Services Center at the current Student Union Building and creation of a new headquarters for the Prichard Art Gallery, now housed in downtown Moscow.