FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville can progress with planning three major building renovations after the University of Arkansas System board of trustees approved architects, engineers and contractors for the projects Friday.
The three projects are expected to cost about $41.7 million combined.
They involve renovations and possible expansions to Ozark Hall, the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity building at 120 N. Stadium Drive and the vacant Old Health Building on Razorback Road.
UA-Fayetteville Chancellor G. David Gearhart said they are among several renovations under way on the Fayetteville campus, including Bud Walton, Peabody and Vol Walker halls.
Students are helping to pay for the projects through a mandatory facilities fee expected to raise $220 million for campus renovations over the next five to seven years, Gearhart said.
The fee is $4 per credit hour per semester now but will go up to $6 per credit hour this fall.
Built in 1940 with Public Works Administration money, Ozark Hall was the largest project on the board agenda Friday, with an projected cost of $27.6 million. University officials plan to pay $18.9 million with bonds supported through the facilities fees and $8.7 million through private gifts.
Architects approved for Ozark Hall were Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects of Fayetteville and Little Rock, and Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York City. VCC of Little Rock will be theconstruction manager and general contractor.
Ozark Hall has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992. Among other things, the building will house the university’s Honors College, now scattered in several locations.
Plans are to expand the building into a full U shape in accordance with its original 1925 master plan.
“It never was done because they ran out of money,” Gearhart said.
Renovation and expansion of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity is expected to cost about $6.1 million. Kinco Constructors LLC of Springdale was selected as the contractor.
Renovation of the 19,200-square-foot Old Health Building is expected to cost $7 million to $8 million and will include an addition and replacement of the roof and heating and air-conditioning systems.
Clark Contractors LLC of Little Rock was selected as construction manager and general manager for the building, which will house an outpatient clinic and the university’s nursing, and speech and hearing disorders programs.
Gearhart said the project will allow the university to train more nurses needed in the state.
“It will allow us to double the size of our nursing program,” Gearhart said.
The project will be paid for with $5.2 million in general funds supported by the facilities fee, and $1.8 million to $2.8 million from operating funds and private gifts.
All three projects will have to go back for board approval of final plans and bond issues.
Front Section, Pages 8 on 04/17/2010