Spring Break
Budget to bring more UA building
Board of Regents grants new funds for campus construction, renovation
By: Jim Myers
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: News
Editor's note: Following an internal investigation, the Daily Wildcat is unable to ascertain the existence of students quoted in at least four stories written by reporter Jim Myers. These stories include: "UA programs rank again," on Sept. 26; "Courting the college vote," on Sept. 22; "Drugs in the Water?" on Aug. 27; and "Budget to bring more UA building," on Aug. 27. The Daily Wildcat regrets this betrayal of trust. The reporter has been terminated.
When the Arizona Board of Regents released the UA's budget for the 2009 fiscal year, it spelled good news for the Facilities Design and Construction Department, but bad news for many other departments and colleges.
The regents voted to give the UA $170 million out of the $1 billion that the Arizona legislature approved for building renewal and construction in a separate plan called the Stimulus Plan for Economic and Educational Development, or SPEED. Northern Arizona University also received $170 million, and Arizona State University received $190 million.
According to UA budget director Jim Florian, $90 million of the $170 million granted for building renewal and construction will go to new additions on the environment and natural resources building, which will add onto the east side of the existing Dennis DeConcini Environment and Natural Resources building.
The addition is projected to be 150,000 square feet and will house several UA departments and programs, including the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, and Arid Lands Studies. It is currently in the second phase of its design and planning, and no date for construction has been set.
"The design is still in progress, but we're shooting for at least a silver LEED rating," Florian said.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Green Building Rating System is the most widely used sustainability rating system for buildings. Gold is the highest rating, and the UA has recently pledged to have all new buildings achieve a silver rating at the minimum.
When the Arizona Board of Regents released the UA's budget for the 2009 fiscal year, it spelled good news for the Facilities Design and Construction Department, but bad news for many other departments and colleges.
The regents voted to give the UA $170 million out of the $1 billion that the Arizona legislature approved for building renewal and construction in a separate plan called the Stimulus Plan for Economic and Educational Development, or SPEED. Northern Arizona University also received $170 million, and Arizona State University received $190 million.
According to UA budget director Jim Florian, $90 million of the $170 million granted for building renewal and construction will go to new additions on the environment and natural resources building, which will add onto the east side of the existing Dennis DeConcini Environment and Natural Resources building.
The addition is projected to be 150,000 square feet and will house several UA departments and programs, including the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, and Arid Lands Studies. It is currently in the second phase of its design and planning, and no date for construction has been set.
"The design is still in progress, but we're shooting for at least a silver LEED rating," Florian said.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Green Building Rating System is the most widely used sustainability rating system for buildings. Gold is the highest rating, and the UA has recently pledged to have all new buildings achieve a silver rating at the minimum.
Policy on posting: The Arizona Daily Wildcat would like to offer readers an opportunity to voice their opinions and engage in community conversation. However, readers should refrain from personal attacks or advertisements in their comments. When a reader chooses to participate in the Daily Wildcat's online comments, they should be aware that all comments and postings do not reflect the views of the publication.
Be the first to comment on this story