The Semester of Construction
The sidewalk construction we've been dodging all semester is only a small part of the construction around campus.
The university is spending about $4.7 million on construction and renovation this semester. It's all money from federal stimulus programs and has to be spent by summer. The sidewalks account for only about $500,000 of that amount.
Most of the money, about $3 million, is being spent on roof repairs and waterproofing on 22 buildings. Another $1 million is being spent on the renovation of campus housing. The remaining money is being used on small repair projects around campus, including $56,000 on the Student Center and a new drainage pipe near Estes Stadium.
The university is using money from a 2007 bond sale to pay for other projects on campus. It is spending $2.6 million for new equipment, repairs and maintenance throughout the campus, $1.3 million for new computers, $750,000 for renovations to the Burdick building, $470,000 for two charter buses, $262,000 for security enhancements and $250,000 for new carpet in Torreyson Library.
The buses have arrived on campus and are being painted purple and white. They will be available to all campus organizations when they are finished later this month.
A common sight on campus
The money also has provided the Physical Plant with a new 65-foot manlift machine and the plant is awaiting the arrival of a forklift next month. The machines will be used while trimming trees, changing lights and moving things around campus.
Not all the projects will cost the university. The administration is finalizing negotiations on two contracts to lease university land for cell phone towers.
The university plans to lease open space along Donaghey Street by the softball fields to T-Mobile for $850 a month. The other space is on the former Arkansas Department of Emergency Management property at 1835 South Donaghey Ave. That lease is with American Tower Co. for $700 a month. Both companies plan to construct towers on the sites.
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