In the December 17th, 2007 meeting, the Campus Planning Committee approved Facilities, Planning & Management's (FP&M) suggested project priorities for funding requests in the 2009-2011 state biennial budget. These priorities will largely dictate FP&M strategy in applying for state funds in the next budget. They are as follows:
1. 21 North Park Street Purchase, $38.60 million
2. Utilities, $31.71 million
3. Integrated Dairy, Phase III, $2.76 million
4. Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research Middle Tower, $67 million
5. High Density Remote Shelving Facility, $9.7 million
The 21 North Park Street Purchase would save the university $3-4 million per year in lease fees currently paid to a third party owner of office space presently housing such campus operations as the registrar and bursar's offices. The utilities project involves upgrades and replacements throughout the campus utility system. The Integrated Dairy, Phase III and Medical Research Middle Tower (UW Hospital) projects are continuations of current construction projects. Finally, the High Density Remote Shelving Facility would allow the campus library system to relocate seldom-used materials to an off-campus location where the could be stored in climate-controlled conditions until requested.
In the course of deliberations, I expressed a strong belief that the Remote Shelving Facility be given greater consideration due to the direct potential positive impact it would likely bring to students. At peak times such as mid-terms and finals, the libraries are generally packed to capacity. Such a facility would allow the library system to free additional space for added student study areas. Since the facility would also include on-site scanning capability, library users seeking particular sources could conceivably get them quickly and conveniently in an electronic version. Lastly, the facility would be built concurrently with a similar Historical Society facility, thus taking advantage of economy of scale in both construction and long-term staffing and operation. FP&M claimed it's low ranking of the Remote Shelving Facility was based on a lack of articulation of the project's ultimate value. I personally do not see that argument, especially in light of the other much more expensive and seemingly less needed projects.
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3 comments:
Did any new housing projects come up for review, or are they separate?
Does the Utilities budget include revamping the Charter Street coal plant? Which budget will this expense fall under?
Regarding Housing:
If you recall last fall's legislature's debate on funding, their was discontent regarding 'luxury' student housing. At that time UW-Madison had a proposal for standardized student housing. As a result, not enough funds were allocated for UW-System construction and we have no housing projects approved and none were proposed for the 09-11 budget cycle.
Regarding Utilities:
The Utilities Budget does include purchasing new boilers for the Walnut (Charter) Street Coal Plant. The following is from the proposal:
Walnut Street Chiller Replacements: This project includes replacing the two original 3500 Carrier steam turbine driven chillers(#1and #2) with new chillers and associated piping
modifications The existing chillers use R-500 refrigerant. The new replacement chillers
will be 5000 ton machines which will use the environmentally friendly refrigerant 134A.
The project will also replace towers #4 and #5 (that are piped to chillers #3 and #4) with
new towers. The project will also connect the new towers with the existing tower basins.
The three existing towers associated with chillers #1 and #2 were just recently rebuilt and only need to be connected with the new towers.
Please note that this is a funds request from the state, therefore, the Consent Decree may move the project forward.
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