UAPB receives OK on union architect
Building a new student union will cost the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff $20 million.
On Thursday, the University of Arkansas System board of trustees approved UAPB contracting with AMR Architects for the project.
The new building will have a grand ballroom, a food court, a bookstore, a game room, a convenience store, conference space, boardrooms and centers for wellness, fitness, counseling and career services.
UAPB will pay for the project by securing bonds, paid for by student fees, and potentially private and state funds.
Students approved a $10 per-credit-hour fee to support a new union in 2017.
UALR to seek loan for cooling repairs
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock plans to apply for a $1 million interest-free loan from the state to replace two chillers and their associated cooling tower and pumps at the university's law school.
At their board meeting Thursday in Little Rock, the University of Arkansas System trustees approved the university's plan to apply for the loan under those terms.
The loan would be through the Arkansas Sustainable Building Design Revolving Loan Fund, managed by the Arkansas Division of Building Authority. All loans in the program, created by the Arkansas Legislature, are interest-free.
The loan that UALR intends to pursue would be for 10 years, with $100,000 to be paid back annually from savings associated with replacing the chillers and other equipment that is used to heat and cool the building.
The university expects to save money because of the equipment's higher energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
The chillers are 37 years old, and one failed regularly last summer, Steve McClellan, vice chancellor for finance and administration, told trustees.
Metro on 01/31/2020