December 19, 1994 - GOVERNOR'S CAPITAL BUDGET ANNOUNCED
Construction funds for a new $17.1 million engineering building,
a $6.5 million Animal Science Building, a state-of the art wheat
research facility, and expansion of physical education facilities
to achieve gender equity highlight a $60.8 million Washington
State University state capital budget recommended today by Gov.
Mike Lowry.
While the capital budget is substantially less than past years,
university officials are expressing satisfaction that critical
campus projects are recommended by the governor to move ahead
in tough budget times.
Prison and K-12 Needs Reduce Higher Education Projects for
Pullman, Branches
Among the disappointments to WSU was that renovation to 100 year
old Thompson Hall, the third largest classroom building
on campus, was not funded in the governor's budget. Funding
was not recommended for completion of the second phase of the
WSU Vancouver campus and a new Consolidated Information
Center facility at WSU Tri-Cities. These may be projects
the Legislature will consider.
Governor's Capital Budget Highlights for WSU
- Engineering Teaching and Research Laboratory, $17.1 million
for Construction
A multi-story building with 58,540 net square feet replacing three
"shop" buildings west of Dana Hall that are being demolished.
- Animal Science Laboratory Building, $6.587 million for
Construction
A two-story 11,470 net square foot building to be located east
of Clark Hall and north of the existing experimental animal laboratory.
A flexible facility to be easily adapted to varying needs over
its life. Construction would begin this year.
- Bohler Gymnasium Addition, $9.36 million for Construction
Coupled with a renovation project which the governor recommended
design funding, this 27,940 net square foot addition will provide
the critical space for WSU to achieve gender equity goals related
to women's locker and training rooms, expand athletic medicine
and equipment facilities, provide for a physical development facility
(including weight rooms,) upgrade a 66-year old facility to meet
modern standards, and provide handicap access to all floors. New
construction could begin this year. Renovation in 1997-99.
- Kimbrough Hall Addition and Remodeling, $1.2 million Design
Funds for Design
A 27,805 net square foot addition and renovation that will provide
a 100-seat telecommunications classroom in the core of campus
and a writing laboratory. Kimbrough houses the WSU School
of Music, and this project will provide critical studios, rehearsal
and practice rooms.
- Wheat Research Center, $3 million for Construction
A sophisticated 30,000-square foot greenhouse and growth chamber
complex recommended by the Washington Wheat Commission to address
the critical research issues so important to the state's
agricultural economy. The governor provided $3 million which will
be matched by $1 million in private industry funds plus federal
dollars. Construction could be underway by this fall.
- Communication Infrastructure Renewal, $4.15 million for
Construction
Funds to implement a new WSU network for voice, video and data
systems.
- Expansion of Instructional Telecommunications to Wenatchee,
Yakima and Spokane Provides $ 1.5 million for interactive
microwave channel capacity to teach additional classes in nursing
between WSU nursing centers in Spokane and Wenatchee, as well
as a new center soon to be under construction in Yakima.
- Chemical Waste Collection Sites, $1 million for Construction
