Trustees approve increased construction budget

The Budget Committee of the Board of Trustees approved yesterday an additional $4 million for… The Budget Committee of the Board of Trustees approved yesterday an additional $4 million for three construction projects — renovation in Eberly Hall and budget increases for the Concordia Club and Chevron Science Center renovations. The full Board must approve the changes in its Friday meeting for them to go into effect.

Vice Chancellor for Budget and Controller Art Ramicone said after the meeting that the decisions on what goes into construction, particularly in the Concordia Club, are a team effort. He said that the Provost’s office and Student Affairs worked with Facilities Management to lay out the plans for the building.

Student Affairs spokesman Shawn Ahearn said much of the Student Affairs area in the Concordia Club will include meeting spaces for student groups, a dining area and a ballroom for student groups’ use.

Once renovation there is completed, the Writing Center and Freshman Studies Program will also move into the Concordia Club, according to the project description presented to the Budget Committee.

The construction will give Eberly Hall a new spectroscopy lab on its second floor and renovate the Chemistry Electronics Shop on the third.

A finished Chevron Science Center will include new wet laboratories for chemistry research and upgrades for laboratory fixtures and equipment.

The Property and Facilities Committee approved all three projects at its last meeting in August. Pitt spokesman John Fedele said the projects will likely pass when they go through before the full Board.

If the changes are approved, the three projects will have a total budget of $14 million, more than five percent of the University’s $186-million capital projects budget. But, Fedele said that several projects came in under budget, making the actual budget for the year $183 million.