WWU seeking campus feedback on capital projects list
Western Colleagues,
As you may know we were fortunate to receive funding for minor works preservation projects in the capital budget process. However, the Legislature approved the funds in one category of the three established preservation categories, so the funds need to be allocated among three lists approved by the campus a year ago. Working with Tim Wynn, Rick Benner and Renée Roberts, the funding was broken out to the three areas in the recommend list; to see this list, go to:
We started with the lists as approved through the last capital planning process first on a pro-rata basis. This funded about 60% of each original list with slight deviations due to project sizes, since they don’t conveniently line up with the percentage cut off. We then adjusted for specific circumstances that have occurred over the past year. First, we show those items we were able to fund in FY 2009-11 since we had a great bid environment and funds available. Next, we made the following adjustments due to changes in circumstances:
Facilities Preservation Subcategory
Priority 15 – Exterior for Canada House and Hannegan Road Lab
This item is put on hold since we don’t know the future of the two facilities. Canada House’s future will be considered as we conduct the predesign on the Academic Services and Performing Arts facility and the Hannegan Road Lab building’s future is being reviewed. Facilities Management advises that we can wait a biennium on both projects without causing permanent damage.
Priority 16 – T-12 Lighting
This project will yield energy savings so it will be funded from PSE grant funds available for that purpose.
Priority 17 – Demolish High Street Hall
This item is skipped for two reasons. (1) The remaining $75,000 in this category isn’t enough to the amount needed to pay for the project. (2) If we are successful with the Academic Services and Performing Arts facility we should be able to fund it through that project.
Priority 18 – Biology Building Environmental Room Upgrades
We may be able to leverage the remaining $75,000 with ESCO energy efficiency funds. Even if we can’t, we may be able to do part of the upgrades since it deals with several different spaces.
Health, Safety, Code Subcategory
Priority 14 – Replace Brick Pavers
This is a project that is somewhat scalable. We were able to fund it close to the requested level. Also, since we were able to repave the area in front of the Carver Gymnasium last year, we should be able to complete most the items on the original FY 2011-13 list.
Infrastructure Subcategory
Addition of the Storm Water Detention Facility Restoration Project
This project is important to protect water runoff and to comply with Western’s agreement with the City of Bellingham. We discussed this issue with the UPRC since there is also an operating budget impact that we are rebasing operating funds towards. This is the capital budget portion. This project does not displace any other infrastructure project since the next item was estimated at $1.4 million.
The recommended list adheres to the original lists with some pragmatic adjustments. Please send comments to VPBFA.Office@wwu.edu by July 5, 2011, 9 a.m. Your comments will be forwarded to the Vice Presidents for final approval next week.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to moving ahead on these important projects.
Sincerely,
Rich Van Den Hul
Vice President
Business and Financial Affairs